Be Kind to One Another

Sarcasm and cynicism are running rampant in society today. Along with that are those who seem to never be at a loss for an opinion, and who never miss an opportunity to express those opinions – whether correct or incorrect – that they have it and it has been made audible gives some sense of gratification… apparently.

I don’t want to get too deep in this thought, nor do I want to sound overly negative or heavy about it. In fact, at this point I need to say that being able to form our own opinion about something is a good thing. The problem comes when our opinion becomes the only thing that matters, or when it leads one to gossip or put another person down.

We do great harm to others because we have no control over our hearts, our minds, and because of that our tongues as well. The opening lines of the song “If you can’t say something good – don’t say nothin’ at all” by Third Day, go like this… “On, and on, and on, and on, and on she goes and where she stops no one really knows. Everybody’s got a problem -- so it seems -- and she aint afraid of telling me…” I think these lines say very clearly what is happening in our society today.

God has called us to a life that is so different than this! He has called us to a life of encouragement, support, and of serving him and others. In fact through Paul the Apostle, God says…

Ephesians 4:29
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.

I find this verse and others like it, very convicting. I’m convicted because sometimes I’m one of those who form opinions and then speak them… right or wrong.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this… what would happen if we really took seriously the command of God, to “let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths?" What if we only said things that built up, and encourage others? What if we started to “think of others more highly than ourselves,” wouldn’t life be so much fuller and richer?!

I know one thing – it would really shock the world! It might even shock them into believing Jesus has the power to change the world… and sometimes our lives prove that we don’t even believe that.