Envy is based on an incomplete understanding of the other person's situation. GEORGE CHAPMAN
In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
TITUS 2:7-8 NASB
Titus was a Gentile by birth, but had been brought to faith in Jesus Christ by the apostle Paul. At that time some of the churchs in and around Greece were coming under the influence of Jewish believers who wanted to revert back to the old beliefs that were observed under the laws of Judaism. How restricting this must have been, once having been set free, no one wants to go back to the old ways. Paul had left Titus in Crete as an overseer to appoint elders in the church and to bring order. Paul gave Titus many instructions, but the words from the apostle about being sound in speech touch my spirit today. What is sound in speech? Can you tell a joke and be sound in speech? Can you laugh at something that at one time was wrong and be sound in speech? How sound does sound have to be? Is a little soundness all right? Is there such a thing as too much soundness that will drive always those we wish to share to? I dont have all the answers to these questions, but today I seek and knock on the Word of God to have the eyes of my understanding opened. I remember when I was in the army how my platoon sergeant could tell me something, something that would be of sound speech, and it would rattle every muscle, bone and nerve in my body. Military leaders have a way of getting the point across direct and quickly. On the other hand I recall times when my AA sponsor would say something to me that was of sound speech, something that was corrective to my behavior, and I could receive it graciously. What was the difference? Both were sound in speech. The difference that I understand today could be summed up in the word love. I am not saying that my sponsor loved me and my platoon sergeant did not. Its just that military leaders show love in a different way. When you get down to it, a command given that has the success of the operation and the welfare of the troops, as its basis is a command given in love. Sound speech which is beyond reproach must have love expressed in its tone and meaning. Then the opponent will have nothing bad to say. Today may I learn to take each word I speak and first meditate upon it in the light of the Fathers love. May I keep in mind how I would like to have others speak to me, then God will do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
We need to accept the difficulties and disciplines of life so as to fully share the common life of other people. Many things that we must accept in life are not to be taken so much as being necessary for us personally, as to be experienced in order that we may share in the suffering and problems of humanity. We need sympathy and understanding. We must share many of the experiences of life, in order to understand and sympathize with others. Unless we have been through the same experiences, we cannot understand other people or their makeup well enough to be able to help them.
HAZELDEN Twenty-Four Hours A Day
In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
TITUS 2:7-8 NASB
Titus was a Gentile by birth, but had been brought to faith in Jesus Christ by the apostle Paul. At that time some of the churchs in and around Greece were coming under the influence of Jewish believers who wanted to revert back to the old beliefs that were observed under the laws of Judaism. How restricting this must have been, once having been set free, no one wants to go back to the old ways. Paul had left Titus in Crete as an overseer to appoint elders in the church and to bring order. Paul gave Titus many instructions, but the words from the apostle about being sound in speech touch my spirit today. What is sound in speech? Can you tell a joke and be sound in speech? Can you laugh at something that at one time was wrong and be sound in speech? How sound does sound have to be? Is a little soundness all right? Is there such a thing as too much soundness that will drive always those we wish to share to? I dont have all the answers to these questions, but today I seek and knock on the Word of God to have the eyes of my understanding opened. I remember when I was in the army how my platoon sergeant could tell me something, something that would be of sound speech, and it would rattle every muscle, bone and nerve in my body. Military leaders have a way of getting the point across direct and quickly. On the other hand I recall times when my AA sponsor would say something to me that was of sound speech, something that was corrective to my behavior, and I could receive it graciously. What was the difference? Both were sound in speech. The difference that I understand today could be summed up in the word love. I am not saying that my sponsor loved me and my platoon sergeant did not. Its just that military leaders show love in a different way. When you get down to it, a command given that has the success of the operation and the welfare of the troops, as its basis is a command given in love. Sound speech which is beyond reproach must have love expressed in its tone and meaning. Then the opponent will have nothing bad to say. Today may I learn to take each word I speak and first meditate upon it in the light of the Fathers love. May I keep in mind how I would like to have others speak to me, then God will do for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
We need to accept the difficulties and disciplines of life so as to fully share the common life of other people. Many things that we must accept in life are not to be taken so much as being necessary for us personally, as to be experienced in order that we may share in the suffering and problems of humanity. We need sympathy and understanding. We must share many of the experiences of life, in order to understand and sympathize with others. Unless we have been through the same experiences, we cannot understand other people or their makeup well enough to be able to help them.
HAZELDEN Twenty-Four Hours A Day
