Truth: "Life and death are in the power of the tongue," Proverbs 18:21.
Mr. Johnson talked about several things at chapel this week, but the one thing that hung with me the most was what he said about words. He asked, "If words are what tears you down, what builds you back up? Words." The power of words is amazing. You can totally cripple a person with your words. You can make accusations, and hinder their ability to grow. Or, you can empower and edify with your words. It is not our job to go around alerting our brothers and sisters in Christ of their many imperfections. Scripture says that the devil is the accuser of the saints (Revelation 12:10). We don't need more than one accuser. We need edifiers. We need people in the body who say what God says about people. I might see that you have a problem with gossiping, and he has a problem with manipulating, and she has a problem with lying, but I'm not here to fix you. I'm here to speak truth into your life.
Of course there is a balance to that. Sometimes we do have to address those kinds of issues, because we are accountable to one another. Accusations are fueled by hurt, anger, insecurity and a horde of other selfish motivations. Godly correction must be fueled only by love in the context of relationship.
If you'd like to talk more about this, feel free to come up and talk to me in the halls or during lunch. See you around.
Sarah
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