How we say what we say determines its influence

Wednesday’s Word

Do you ever get the feeling that just about everywhere you turn, there’s something negative, angry, destructive and demoralizing? How do we keep our minds, hearts and spirits healthy in such a time as this?

Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United and Kim-Evinda.

I don’t know about you, but I often wonder, and almost imagine our Father up above looking down and shaking His head in sorrow and righteous anger at everything going on in the world today. One thing I do know with every cell in my body is that He wouldn’t come down and be one of the crowd; instead, His meekness – power in control – would draw others to Him, creating a new kind of crowd. He’s not one to add more wood to an already-burning fire.

We’ve all heard the saying, two wrongs don’t equal a right, and while we all have freedom to express our opinions and beliefs, the way we do so will determine their influence and receipt.

This truth is actually a Biblical principle found in 1st Thessalonians 5:15: “Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else.” (CEV)

Put another way: “Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers” (NPT)

And one more way found in The Message translation which includes verses 13-15: “Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.”

No matter what version of the Bible you look in, the message is the same: Two wrongs never equal a right, and though I usually refrain from the always, never words, this one’s a time where that rings true!

So friend, may I encourage you this week, when seeing an action, attitude or behavior that offends you, don’t add wood to the all-ready burning fire; instead, add the water of truth and see if you aren’t the one who changes!

Love,
Kim-Evinda

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