| Good morning, everyone, Our theme for this month: “Be gracious, even if others aren’t” Our Bible verse for today: “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 I may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29-30 (NIV) Our thought for today: “Is it true, is it helpful’ is it kind?” This morning, I want to share with you a rather long quote directly from the “Upside-Down Kingdom” study Bible. This came from my own personal Bible study time yesterday and it pertains directly to our theme for this month.” “In the social media era, “unwholesome talk” has become normative and, even more insidiously, desirable, at least to a certain extent. The computer algorithms that fuel most social media platforms are designed to amplify the extremes, and research has proven that the extremes produce an inordinate amount of clicks, comments and likes. Clicks, comments and likes are what fuel the digital economy. In other words, bitterness, rage, anger, slander and maliciousness sell. As a result, unwholesome talk reigns supreme online.” The editors go on: “The original word for unwholesome can be translated “rotten” or “corrupt.” The seeds of thought rumbling around in our minds and hearts hold tremendous potential, for both good and bad. Out of the same mouth can come both praising and cursing (Jas 3:10). Will we express our thoughts in words that are unwholesome, rotten and corrupt, or words that build others up? As social media continues to push culture further toward the extremes, Christians are called to stand in loving defiance by speaking with kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Rather than carelessly lunging into the polarized fray, armed with our opinions and grievances, followers of Jesus must seek to build up with our words.” The instruction from the Apostle Paul on this subject continues in verses 30-31 of Ephesians 4: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” It grieves the Holy Spirit of God when Christians become part of the problem rather than the solution by joining in the ugliness. If others are mean and unkind in their remarks, we are not to respond to them by being like them. Instead, we are to be like Jesus. Paul felt so strongly about this that he returned to it just a few sentences later in Ephesians 5:4, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” There’s an old rule of thumb that applies here, and which can be very helpful, it’s also consistent with Paul’s instruction to us here in Ephesians: when choosing your words and tone, before you decide what to say and how to say it stop and ask yourself, “Is it true; is it helpful; is it kind?” God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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