Who speaks smooth words? Politicians and car salesmen. Who speaks real words, even if they offend? Spurgeon and Jesus are two that come to mind. Jesus called people names. He did not use smooth words. Spurgeon was also told many times to change the way he talked because it was offending people. Yet somehow in Christianity, people who naturally speak in a smooth, inoffensive way tell real people that they are sinning in the way they speak.
I’m not talking about being rude. Love is not rude. I’m talking about twisting a normal sentence that is inoffensive into a huge insult that was never intended. Satan pits believers against each other by giving them poison glasses. They look through those poison glasses to a person who is real, and they take offense where no offense exists. They assume the godly person is evil, so what they say will be twisted no matter what.
There is a time to speak up and be harsh, and it’s usually when people in positions of power in Christian circles are being used by the enemy to hinder God’s work.
That is the time that even the Son of God called people names. Yes, He insulted the people who were hindering God’s work.
I have seen it so many times. The godly person is called to a meeting with people in Christian authority who have already believed the lies from the enemy. They might even have deep-seated bitterness against that person. During the meeting, they whip that godly person to death. They do not let that godly person call forth any witnesses who would reveal the truth. Even when the truth is mentioned, their ears are plugged and they will hear no more of it.
“His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” Psalm 55:21 ESV
Christian, if you are being wounded for the cause of Christ, when you have spent every drop of your being in faithful service to your Master, you do not have to go to a meeting where you will be killed by people’s words. You do not have to go there alone. You do not have to go there at all. God will strengthen and uphold you. God will defend you, if not on this earth, then in the world to come.
Don’t let the evil one stop you from using your spiritual gifts. Don’t let him hurt you by turning back on your head every harmless word that has been used against you. Don’t slink down in defeat for the rest of your life.
Find some believers who are walking by the Spirit who will walk in unity through prayer, and begin everything that you do for God in prayer. Ask Him if you are to lead a certain event or activity, and if the Lord is behind it, He will carry you and provide for you despite all the opposition. Because the Lord rules on high, and His designs will not be thwarted. Walk in confidence if you have committed your ways before Him, and He will direct your steps.
Tags: Christian Living, prayer, spiritual warfare, unity
Hi Susan,
I think I understand what your saying here… I continue to seek, to have that fine tuned ear to hear; to know when to speak, when to be silent…Because I know there have been times I needed a strong word and a sugar coated one wouldn’t have sufficed in those moments…to love so much, we’re willing to ‘lovingly’ speak…without forsaking truth…
Going browse around…Blessings to You this glorious weekend!
Yes, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time for gentleness and a time for rebuke!
The devil used smooth words when he tempted people too
Good point.
“Because the Lord rules on high, and His designs will not be thwarted.” – Yes – sometimes we have to talk to people firmly, especially if they are guiding others away from God!
That’s for sure! I’ve encountered a lot of that lately.
Thank you for explaining how we are to speak and using the example of Jesus. He needed to make a point, but only in drawing someone closer or allowing their hardened hearts to draw them away. He always did everything in love!
Love is the key.
It’s hard to know how to approach those tough conversations sometimes. Especially when it comes to politics. My mom always tells us, “Know when to speak and when to be silent.” My prayer is that when I speak God gives me the words to say.
Asking God for the right words to say is the wisest thing we can do.
I couldn’t help but think of this scripture. We need to be careful how we talk about and to one another. Our tongue is a huge reflection of our heart. If I can’t speak in anything, but in love and truth, it would be wise for me to keep my mouth shut until I can. Thank You for this reminder!
With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
We need to be careful of what comes out of our mouth–that’s for sure!
Shwew, our words can cause damage if we are not careful. But there is absolulty a time when we must speak the truth in love. The key is to have spent time with God in prayer about it before we ever open our mouths. He will give us the words of Life.
Yes, we must speak the truth in love and pray about the timing before opening our mouths.
This reminds me of Job and his friends. He was innocent,but they kept accusing him of sin. Sometimes, people will turn your words against you because they twisted your words. We can’t let the enemy beat us down. We need to stand firm in our innocence like Job did.
That’s a great point!