Even so the tongue is a little member , and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. James 3:5 KJV
Denise and Barrington had only been married for 16 months, but it was not working out. Barrington was much stricter with money that Denise was and she maxed out a credit card so he put her on a budget. In response, Denise packed up her belongings and moved into her mom's spare bedroom. As she was unpacking, Denise discovered she had taken some personal items of Barrington's childhood photos cards and letters. She called his cell phone and left a message asking if he wanted to pick the items up. Barrington returned the call leaving a message on Denise's cell phone and asking her to mail the items to him..
Barrington was stunned when he checked his voicemail the next day. Denise told him that she didn’t care that he didn’t want to see her, she didn’t want to see him either. She said she had no intention of paying the expense of mailing his junk back to him. She called him several insulting names such as "childish" and "big mountain head" and told him she decided to burn his photographs cards and letters.
Instead of responding immediately Barrington spent hours digesting Denise‘s response. Then he left her another message. "The reason I asked you to mail the materials to me is because I’m not able to pick them up. I’m in Florida with my dad who is ill. Please go by the house and put the stuff in the mailbox. Take care of yourself".
In James 3, we read about the tongue. The tongue is a small part of the body but the damage it can cause is and can be astronomical almost insurmountable. James describes the tongue as a fire. From the same mouth can come blessing and cursing. But for the children of God this out not to occur. Instead James recommends that we sow goodness and meekness of wisdom. That’s what Barrington did in the story above. The harvest of righteousness is sound in peace for everyone who chooses to make peace with others.
Can you refrain from giving someone a "piece of your mind" the way Denise let her tongue control her attitude? The next time anyone says or does something hurtful to you, take 6 hours to pray and meditate before you respond. Continue to increase the response time until you can go 24 hours before responding.
Exhibiting wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, and sincere will start to mean more to you than the instant gratification of retaliation.
Dear God I can’t imagine not responding immediately to painful things people say and do to me. My human response is a desire to inflict Greater pain sometimes. Help me to remember and demonstrate the wisdom highlighted in James 3: pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, sincere wisdom so that my example mirrors the righteousness of Christ. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
What are your thoughts on this?
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