He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips. Proverbs 20:19
As time goes on, I have tried very hard to censure my tongue. Even with the "privacy" of the internet, there are times when people make a point to search you out, just to find something to become angry about. Other times, folks purposefully provoke others, whether in typed text or face-to-face conversations.
I have never purposefully tried to hurt anyone with my words, but I will admit that there have been a couple times when I should have prayed for wisdom before opening my mouth. I think that we all have those times, when we feel that we should have just stuffed our foot directly between our lips.
For some reason, this keeps coming up with me, in indirect ways. I wonder if the good Lord isn't showing me a lesson in a gentle way. For instance, I chose to go to a bible study one evening, and witnessed a female "pastor" make a terrible error in judgement. Because of her choice, I have chosen not to further a relationship with that particular congregation. You cannot speak in truth, and have an open relationship, when private things are not kept private.
During the incident that I refer to, this female "pastor" asked everyone to pray for a couple who go to their church. It wasn't said that they needed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but that these named individuals were at fault for the sins of pride, selfishness, etc. Obviously, the couple was not in attendence, or else I doubt that this lady would have aired their dirty laundry before the rest of the group.
Now, I have no problem with a person asking others to pray for someone. I have asked many, many people to pray for my marriage. What I like to keep in mind is that- other people do not need the details to pray for someone. God already knows what the situation is, and it is the PRAYING that counts, not the laundry list of individual sins. I was very embarrassed to be witness to what happened, and I know that it will definitely keep me from speaking of my own personal relationships.
One going with slander is a revealer of secrets, but the faithful of spirit keeps the matter hidden. Proverbs 11:13
I recieved a strange phone call today, from someone that I almost never talk to. However, she made a point to call me today, to try and get information out of me, about someone else. While she wasn't asking for information that wasn't already common knowledge, I still felt uncomfortable. I understood how desperate she was for some word on the people that she cares for. Because of that, I did tell her that everything was fine, and that nothing terrible had happened. I truly do feel for her.
I think that sometimes people can be just as hurtful in their silence as they can be with their tongue. In James 3, we are told that the tongue cannot be tamed, and that it does evil. My own personal opinion that this works not only for what we DO utter, but also what we withhold. It is just downright cruel to ignore those who long after you, and whom you should love and respect. A person's actions, such as these, can send the clear message of "I do not love you. I do not care to have a relationship with you."
I wonder if this is how God feels, when we make ourselves "too busy" to pray. Does our silence seem deafening? He already knows what is going on in our lives, but it is the SHARING and the establishing of a RELATIONSHIP that is treasure. Do we disrespect God by choosing to purposefully not speak to Him? Do we honor God by metaphorically refusing to answer the phone? I wonder if we deeply grieve the heart of our God, in not turning to him with our needs, experiences, and our praises. I'm betting to put my money down, and say that it probably does. Our Lord is a good 'daddy', and we already know to what awesome extent He has chosen to go, all for a relationship with us.What a beautiful thing it would be, to see more people truly open up their hearts. It is painful to watch men and women shoulder their way through this life, throwing away the only meaningful treasure that we have amongst ourselves, on this earth. God didn't make a mistake when He designed families. Yet, so many are robbing themselves of loving companions, instead of softening their hearts. I thank God that He is more patient than mortal man. We simple beings are so apt to turn from the door and walk away when our knuckles ache from knocking....
