A
reminder for today
When
Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled
with rage. (Esther 3:5)
It is Wednesday and the week is rushing past us as end of
the year gets closer and closer. What are your plans for the Christmas
holidays? Are you going away or are you at home for Christmas? This time of the
year can be quite challenging. We are in the midst of a huge project and
challenges at work seem to get the better of us at times. It is interesting how
tiny things can fire up emotions and anger and how quickly people can turn from
good to bad. Anger is such a great tool used by the enemy to bring distance
between us and God and it is so well used especially in this time of the year.
Why do we get angry? I believe that anger is directly
related to selfishness and self-idolising. You see we get angry when things are
not going our way and this means that our own needs are placed ahead of other
or ahead of God’s plan. When we deem our own self more important than the needs
of other we are starting to idolise ourselves. Haman had a huge problem with self-idolising.
He wanted to be important and he wanted everyone to know it and respect him for
it. Mordecai did not show respect by bowing to Haman and this enraged Haman so
much that he plotted to kill Mordecai and destroy all the Jews. So in one
selfish act Haman wanted to hurt a lot of people. Isn’t this what we do? If we
do not get our way we become irritated and say things we would normally not
say. When we are selfish in that way, we protect our need for self-idolising by
hurting other with our words. My dear friend, words can cut deeper than a sword
and the marks of words can last much longer than the marks left by a sword. A
cut left by a sword heals over time, but cuts left by words can last forever.
Don't
use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so
that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians
4:29)
But
the words you speak come from the heart—that's what defiles you. (Matthew
15:18)
And I
tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you
speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
(Matthew 12:36-37)
And a
small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even
though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing
that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.And
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. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,but
no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes
it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been
made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of
the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! (James
3:4-10)
Some
people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. (Proverbs
12:18)
Dear Lord, please help us in what we say each day. Let our
words not leave marks, but instead let our words bring healing. Let our words
honour You in every conversation and let those we speak to be blessed by our
words. Let us not harbour anger but let us defeat anger by listening to your
voice and seeking your guidance, Lord. Please give us the wisdom to say only
what is good and appropriate in every occasion and let the words of our mouths
bring freedom to our emotions. In Jesus name.
Have and awesome day dear friend of Jesus
Cheers