Proverbs 13-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 4
He who guides his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion,
that it may impart grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
I feel that another bit of wisdom of a parental source is deserving of expression here also. Some of us from childhood may have actually heard or even experienced this wisdom at the hand of a mother as I had:
Dirt is washed away with a good amount of soap
Likewise for lies and potty words there is no hope!
Harmful words from your lips did give rise
so now open wide for this cleansing surprise!
So often our words fly from our lips indiscriminately. Sometimes we forget to use filters and blame it on the fact that our brains are not engaged when we speak. Words, especially those intended for gossip and slander can be so destructive and harmful, even killing another’s spirit or self image. Why is it that we need to use such words? Is it all about our insecurities? Is it about grasping power to feel important as we crush others down with our words? Is it because we do not feel loved and affirmed? Is it because we cannot love others because we cannot love ourselves? As one who ministers to young people in an educational system, such behavior is often witnessed. But then I realize that such behavior is not inherent to the children, but rather a reflection of what they witness and imitate from their home environment. We as adults are not as conscious and intentional as we need and ought to be in being good examples for our children, each other, and the world.
In Ephesians, Paul says:
You did not so learn Christ! – assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
No longer are we children! But we have grown up in all aspects of Christ as Paul so strongly reminds us (Ephesians 4:14-15). We must consider this awesome call and new life that we have because of our life in Christ. The test is not that we aspire for perfection, or to win in life at the expense of others, but rather the real test is allowing God to work in and through our humanity, to love as God loves us, and that we may share his love in all that we say and do.
The Very Rev. Dr. William L. Stomski,
Chaplain and Sacred Studies Educator, Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School, Boynton Beach
Dean of the Diocesan School for Christian Studies
He who guides his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths,
but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion,
that it may impart grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
I feel that another bit of wisdom of a parental source is deserving of expression here also. Some of us from childhood may have actually heard or even experienced this wisdom at the hand of a mother as I had:
Dirt is washed away with a good amount of soap
Likewise for lies and potty words there is no hope!
Harmful words from your lips did give rise
so now open wide for this cleansing surprise!
So often our words fly from our lips indiscriminately. Sometimes we forget to use filters and blame it on the fact that our brains are not engaged when we speak. Words, especially those intended for gossip and slander can be so destructive and harmful, even killing another’s spirit or self image. Why is it that we need to use such words? Is it all about our insecurities? Is it about grasping power to feel important as we crush others down with our words? Is it because we do not feel loved and affirmed? Is it because we cannot love others because we cannot love ourselves? As one who ministers to young people in an educational system, such behavior is often witnessed. But then I realize that such behavior is not inherent to the children, but rather a reflection of what they witness and imitate from their home environment. We as adults are not as conscious and intentional as we need and ought to be in being good examples for our children, each other, and the world.
In Ephesians, Paul says:
You did not so learn Christ! – assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
No longer are we children! But we have grown up in all aspects of Christ as Paul so strongly reminds us (Ephesians 4:14-15). We must consider this awesome call and new life that we have because of our life in Christ. The test is not that we aspire for perfection, or to win in life at the expense of others, but rather the real test is allowing God to work in and through our humanity, to love as God loves us, and that we may share his love in all that we say and do.
The Very Rev. Dr. William L. Stomski,
Chaplain and Sacred Studies Educator, Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School, Boynton Beach
Dean of the Diocesan School for Christian Studies
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