Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians may have been written nearly 2,000 years ago, but it sure is timely and applicable for us today. We live in a culture of shouting, name-calling, and shame blaming. We are quick to accuse and slow to listen. Quick to criticize and make assumptions, and slow to encourage and offer compassion.
When it comes to treating people well, this world is not the standard we need to fix our eyes on. Politicians and Christian celebrities, neighbors and coworkers and social media influencers are not the role models we need to emulate. We need to look to Jesus. We need to remember how Christ has forgiven us! How He loved the unlovable, how He made space at His table and in His friend group for those who would deny Him, betray Him, and get it all wrong.
We need Jesus. And the world needs Him too. Let’s be women who live and love in a way that points people to the kindness, compassion, and forgiveness of Jesus.
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Amen!
This is so true. Thanks for the reminder that everyone needs to “Be Kind”!
Amen. Aim High to God’s standard. Use his lessons for your life and it will be more peaceful even in midst of strife.
This is so simple and true! I’m making a goal to memorize and pray these verses!
In Courage,
This world is noisy, & full of disunity. People make opinions about you just by looking at you. We don’t take the time to really know each other. Just form our opinions by race, color, etc. I feel it’s high time we shed more of God’s light & love to this dark sinful world. At work co-workers often receive praise from me-especially EVS (trash/cleaners). Working hard to be a strong Christian woman sharing God with everyone through kindness & compassion.
Blessings 🙂
My Sunday school lesson for my 3rd graders was the 7th commandment: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Always a tricky one to bring down to their level. Today, for better or worse they already knew the definition of adultery & had what if questions & scenarios based on various cheating behaviors. What a joy to offer them the truth that even in all the scenarios they asked about Jesus offers forgiveness when we confess our sins. And because we have been forgiven we can offer forgiveness to others in turn. The look of peace & comfort on 1 little girl’s face when hearing that fact will stay with me for a lifetime! We love because He first loved us equals we forgive because He first forgave us! Definitely not the world’s response! Thank you for this encouraging truth!
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!