Ephesians 4:30-32 – Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (NASB)

Last summer a rock was thrown into the window at the gym where I work out. It was no little rock. It was huge. The whole big window was smashed into tiny splinters all over the carpet. The damage was phenomenal. The owner and manager were grieved by this act of violence by someone who never thought about the damage they were doing. It took time to repair the window so the gym was useable again.

I thought about the words that are sometimes carelessly thrown from our mouths — most often directed at our loved ones. Most times, we don't think about the damage our words do to those we love the most. But they crash; they smash; they splinter. Oh, how it grieves the Holy Spirit when we treat each other in such hurtful ways. God is ready and willing to help us with our words if only we ask Him.

Psalm 141:3 – Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips. (MSG)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, so many times we say such hurtful things. Not only do we hurt the ones to whom we speak, but also we hurt You, because You are a God of relationships. When we do damage with our words, we break relationships, and that grieves You. Please post a guard at our mouths, God, and set a watch at the door of our lips. We give You the honour and glory and praise. Amen.

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About the author:

Judy Miller <gjmiller@telusplanet.net>
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
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