SEPTEMBER 17

Gentle Words

Luke 4:22

MY HEART GOES OUT TO those who live their lives like whipped dogs. You’ve seen them too. They are stooped, shy, reluctant, and fearful. It’s as if they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. They may be gifted, gracious people, but their inability to project the slightest degree of confidence keeps their competence a well-hidden secret.

Often, they’ve been the recipient of cruel words and harsh responses. Now they flinch at every word, shrink back from any genuine opportunity.

How much hurt, how much damage can be done by chance remarks! Our unguarded tongues can deposit abusive thoughts of hurt, humiliation, and hate into tender minds that fester, become full-blown infections, and ultimately disease an adult personality. With little regard for the other person’s vulnerability, we have the power to initiate a violent emotional earthquake by merely making a few statements that rip and tear like shrapnel in the person’s brain.

Consider what James wrote about the tongue:

The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

JAMES 3:5-6

How different from the experience of those who received the words of Jesus!

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.

LUKE 4:22

Why were they amazed? Because they had been continually whipped into humiliating submission by uncaring legalists who lorded their authority over them. Grace never whips —grace always lifts and encourages. Ask the Lord to help you make certain only such words flow from your lips today.