Here we go again with the Bible always talking directly to me. Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." I am a pretty negative person. I'm always complaining and pointing out problems and frustrating annoyances. I corrupt the moods of others and make people feel like there is something always wrong with everything. I need to shut my month and think about what I'm going to say, why I'm going to say it, and if it needs to be said. More often than not, I'll probably not even need to talk.
I need to encourage and build up others with what I say. I need to forget the negative complaining and find ways to show grace to those in my life. I think the key to this verse is the word "grace." How much more grace has God shown me beyond what I deserve? And now I need to show others that same grace. I need to show grace to others so they can better understand God's grace through my example. I need to show grace so I too understand God's grace better. God has forgiven a multitude of sins in my life and continues to forgive sins on a daily basis. How can I not return that grace to others. Whether it's co-workers, family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers, I've been given so much grace by God for my sins, I should have an abundance of grace to shower on all others I come into contact with.
Praise God for His Grace.
4 comments:
Amen, brother!
You should start participating in Brody's "Positive Post Tuesday." He began this tradition for bloggers, based on that very same scripture. Let me know if you need a link.
Do you even read comments on this blog?
Here's that link.
http://brodyharper.com/2008/03/04/thirty-nine-times/
Annie,
I do get all the comments left on both my blogs. They are emailed to me. I don't always respond because I'm not sure if people get the responses.
Your comment on this entry made me read the whole thing again. And besides the grammatical errors, which I won't fix for the sake of character, I was again challenged by the passage. I was even taken back a little that I actually wrote this. I think sometimes not everything I read or write actually sinks in.
Thanks for the invite to "Positive Post Tuesday." I think it's a neat idea, but I feel too much pressure to post something every Tuesday. I did see your mother-in-law today and she talked about how great she felt reading your "PPT" post about her and Gary (her son, not your dad).
I know what you mean. I've had the same experience, reading some of the things I've written!
PPT's are actually easier than you think. And nobody will hold it against you if you don't do it EVERY week. Just something to think about. It is good practice in "building up" others.
Take care, friend! And say hello to Lisa.
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