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Off The
Cuff |
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Article by Tom Gilbert — October
2006
Have you ever made a comment without really
thinking about what you were saying only to realize it was
crass, rude, sarcastic or inappropriate? Of course. It’s
probable we all can plead guilty to this.
In our often hectic world there are ample opportunities for
us to say things we later regret. We shoot from the hip. Unfortunately,
these off the cuff remarks can be damaging. They can be words
that hurt, or at least be insensitive. Wouldn’t it be
great if our instinctual responses were always uplifting and
positive?
Think Before You Speak
I often find that when things are busy or chaotic I’m more inclined
to speak before considering what I am saying. I might make a caustic remark
when my intent was to be funny. Or I can be so frustrated over a deadline
that when someone interrupts I show no patience and even express anger.
This is really bad when the person interrupting has a legitimate reason
to talk to me. They come looking for help and I snap at them! That’s
about as un-Christian as one could be.
Somehow Jesus was able to handle demanding crowds and arrogant religious
leaders with grace, tolerance and love. We hardly ever read of the Lord
being angry. Sure, there is the account of the moneychangers in the Temple
getting their tables overturned. But if we ponder deeply what he was doing
perhaps we’ll discover his intent was to both cleanse the Temple
of deceitful practices and also to make a point in a public way. Sometimes,
too, it seemed Jesus was exasperated with people’s lack of faith
or his disciples’ failure to grasp a teaching. Even then he was remarkably
patient. And the words the Gospels attribute to him are full of wisdom,
depth, compassion and love.
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It Takes Discipline
It takes spiritual discipline and practice
to learn to pause when agitated and respond with words that
are kind and considerate. It may always be easier to say what
ever pops into our head, but there is a reason why we’re
told we should engage brain before speaking.
Flippant responses are usual shallow. Words of love have weight
and depth. To think of others first and considering carefully
what we say takes practice. It also takes the inspiration of
God speaking to and through us. I think this is what Christ
means when he said in Luke 12:10-12, "When you are brought
before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about
how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for
the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should
say." Sure, Jesus was referring to times when followers
are brought before others with the need to defend their faith.
But, I think it could apply as well to any instance where a
considerate response would be better than a snappy reply.
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Guard the Tongue
Maybe we can best learn to respond properly
in all occasions by developing a good habit of prayer and meditation
that includes humbly asking the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts
and guard our tongue. In the letter of James in the New Testament
there is a stern warning to do just that. “With the tongue
we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who
have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come
praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” (James
3:9-10)
As we go through each day let us
ask for the wisdom from above that will help us to say the
right things in all situations. Don’t get too upset when
you fail, because none of us is perfect. But the more we can
learn to speak the language of love the better we will all
be for it.
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved. |
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