“Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor for we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole,steal no longer but labor with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has a need.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouthbut what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God; by whom you were sealed for the day or redemption.
Let all bitterness wrath and anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Therefore be imitators of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also loved and has given himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. (New King James Version)
That’s a lot to take in. After reading this yesterday, I thought I should just bring some duct tape to work with me and slap it over my mouth. Seems it’s much easier to just say whatever comes to mind, instead of focusing on speech that builds one another (edification) and is seasoned with grace ( undeserved favor).
I like how with every problem ( lying, stealing, anger issues etc.,) listed there is also a solution. For example, if you typically lie to your friends, (neighbors) start telling the truth. If you’re angry you should do what you can to work out the problem before you call it a day. I think it’s interesting how lying proceeds the anger comments. Maybe the reason we are so tempted to lie or talk falsely about others, is due to anger that resides in our hearts towards those we are either lying about, or lying to.
If you steal, don’t keep stealing find good honest labor to do and then you will be able to bless others. I love that. God doesn’t assume a person who steals is completely selfish. He sets us up to think if I do the right thing, the better thing, I can in turn be a blessing to someone else. Instead of hurting someone with my behavior (in this case stealing) I can be in a position to help them (be a blessing).
Let no “corrupt” word ….I have in my Bible the word “rotten” in place of corrupt. This is pretty hard to do. Things/people make me mad and I respond with a cutting word, sarcasm, or hurtful comments. Lord, help me to remember that I can build or tear down others just with simple words I say. (This is where I need the Duct Tape applied. )
Apparently, it doesn’t just grieve others either. I can actually grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Grief implies sorrow, heartache, grave disappointment. I don’t want to grieve God’s Holy Spirit. Here He has sealed me with the very Spirit of God who enables me to desire and to do the right thing and I still rely on my own strength and fall back into my old behaviors.
How often do I grieve when I am willing to help others or my kids, friends etc. and able to help them but they refuse to take my gifts I freely offer them. That independent yet often willful spirit that will not bend nor flex until it becomes broken or strained under the pressure of life and it grieves those who love us the most to see us so miserable under it’s weight.
Finally, I am told that in order to imitate God I just need to be KIND to one another. God showed me ultimate kindness in loving me while I didn’t deserve it. I need to be TENDERHEARTED and show compassion to others, and finally exhibit the spirit of FORGIVENESS. Just as God in Christ forgave me.
I am glad that I don’t need to depend on me to accomplish these things. I am glad the Holy Spirit is sealed up inside of me and will help me overcome anger, language, attitudes that tear down instead of building others up. His grace is sufficient and readily available.
James 1: 19 -22
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (NIV)
Hide and Seek 
