Mark 7:15
Nothing
that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come
out from within are what defile.
When was the last time an evil word came
out of your mouth – maybe yesterday or maybe, just this morning. Have you really thought of the repercussions
that those evil words have caused to the one who heard it? He may now be full of grief because of your
careless words. Why not approach that
person and seek his forgiveness? Let the
goodness in your heart pour out through your mouth, blessing others so we may
all live in harmony.
Devastating criticism, gossip, intrigue and
machination are denounced in the Scriptures as the greatest sins after
idolatry, because they are all violence against our brother, the image of
God. They are ways of sinning with the
tongue. The tongue has great power to
set ablaze. It can enflame either false
accusations or truthful encouragement, prideful bombast or humble thanksgiving,
bitter hatred or forgiving mercy.
What fills the heart is spoken by the
tongue: from a good heart, good words are born, and no gossip stems from it
against any person. If we let our speech
be molded according to the pattern of Sacred Scripture, then we will not let
ourselves become like a withered tree with bad fruit, but rather like a healthy
tree bearing good fruit for the uplifting of the Body of Christ.
“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to
the Lord with all your heart always and for everything giving thanks in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Eph. 5:18-20)
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, teach us not return evil
for evil or insult for insult. We should
return a blessing instead. This we have
been called to do, that we may receive a blessing for our inheritance. We want to enter into life and see prosperous
days. Teach us to keep our tongue from
evil and our lips from uttering deceit. My
soul proclaims the Your greatness and my Spirit rejoices in Jesus Christ, my
Savior. Amen +
One who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment