Day 4: THINK: is what I want to say necessary?
View the original installment of this series here.
Listen to Arica's Sunday sermon which inspired this series here.
Listen to Arica's Sunday sermon which inspired this series here.
Read Ephesians 4:17-32.
What stood out to me today as I read it?
Take a moment or two to meditate on verse 29 and 31:
What stood out to me today as I read it?
Take a moment or two to meditate on verse 29 and 31:
“You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear […] You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk.”
Discerning when our words aren’t needed can be tricky, but if we find our words welling up from the places listed in verse 31, then that’s a good sign we should refrain at that moment. Let’s pray for wisdom to recognize the holy and unholy reasons underlying why we think the person must hear what we have to say.
What is a recent example when what I said was needed by the person to whom I spoke?
What is a recent example of things I’ve said that upon reflection weren’t actually needed by the recipient?
General Challenge:
Blessings in Jesus,
Dcn. Arica
What is a recent example when what I said was needed by the person to whom I spoke?
What is a recent example of things I’ve said that upon reflection weren’t actually needed by the recipient?
General Challenge:
- At least three times today when I want to say something, I will choose to evaluate whether using my words is needed.
- Once today I will choose to refrain from using my words in a way that isn’t needed.
- Today on social media I will choose to evaluate whether using my words is needed whenever I want to comment negatively or share a post that is criticizing a person, group, or ideology.
Blessings in Jesus,
Dcn. Arica