‘Well I heard…’
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
The meeting had gone well, though as with all Zoom meetings there was always a tension that the technology would go wrong – but no, all went well. I felt that there had been an uplifting atmosphere with positive input from many participants – until someone said, ‘Well I heard…’ and there followed an extremely negative comment regarding the future of church services. A sense of gloom ensued. Immediately the mood changed – faces were downcast and all efforts to edify went straight out the window.
It did make me ask myself how many times have I done this? How many times have I pulled people’s spirits down due to my own lack of foresight? Jesus gave a serious warning to the Pharisees and to us today in Matthew 12:36 (ESV), “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…”. So beware of the temptation to spread damaging rumours or slander – the effects can be devastating. James 3:8 describes our tongue as a ‘…restless evil, full of deadly poison.’
The apostle Paul urges us to build each other up. One of the phenomena of the 21st century is fake news. Fake equals false. False equals lies. As Christians we need to be alert as we impart information to others. Is it true? Will it make people feel better about their lives?
We have the power to be nurturing Christians. Proverbs 25:11 (KJV) describes encouraging comments as ‘…like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ It is hard to imagine how our spoken words can be as beautiful as this analogy. Philippians 4:8 (ESVUK) gives us the code for our conversations: ‘Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.’
Prayer
Loving Father, help me to be vigilant in my communications with others. Let me encourage rather than discourage. Of myself, this is difficult and can only really be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Study by Irene Wilson
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Irene Wilson is a Deaconess in the Watford Congregation of Grace Communion International, where she also serves on the Pastoral Council.
Local Congregation:
Gracecom Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford, Herts.
WD24 7HF
Meeting Time:
Saturday 11AM
Local Congregational Contact:
George Henderson
Email: watford@gracecom.church
Contact:
Email: wordoflife@gracecom.church