Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 16
Wednesday


THINGS SAID
IN SECRET

READ:
Ephesians 4:25-32
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The words of a wise
man's mouth are
gracious.
__Ecclesiastes 10:12
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Some say that anonymity is the last refuge for cowards. Judging from mail and comments I've read that have been submitted anonymously I would agree. People hiding behind the screen of anonymity or a false identity feel the freedom to launch angry, hurtful tirades. Anonymity allows them to be unkind without having to take responsibility for their words.

Whenever I am tempted to write something anonymously because I don't want to be identified with my own words, I stop and reconsider. If I don't want my name attached to it, I probably shouldn't be saying it. Then I do one of two things: I either toss it out or I rewrite it in a way that makes it helpful rather than hurtful.

According to Ephesians, our words should edify and impart grace (4:29). If I'm unwilling to use my name, there's reason to believe that my motive is to hurt, not to help.

Whenever you're tempted to say something in secret--perhaps to a family member, co-worker, or your pastor--consider why you don't want your name to be identified with your words. After all, if you don't want to be identified with your words, God probably doesn't either. He is gracious and slow to anger (Ex. 34:6), and we should be the same.
__Julie Ackerman Link
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```````````````````````O Lord, help us to turn aside``````````````
`````````````````From words that spring from selfish pride,`````````
``````````````````For You would have your children one````````````
`````````````In praise and love for Your dear Son. __D. De Haan`````
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Anonymity can be a coward's way
of hiding behind hurtful words.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 4:25-32*********

25 Therefore, putting away
lying, "Let each one of you
speak truth with his
neighbor," for we are
members of one another.

26 "Be angry, and do not
sin": do not let the sun go
down on your wrath, 27 nor
give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal
no longer, but rather let him
labor, working with his
hands what is good, that he
may have something to give
him who has need. 29 Let no
corrupt word proceed out of
your mouth, but what is
good for necessary
edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers.

30 And do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil
speaking be put away from
you, with all malice. 32 And
be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God in
Christ forgave you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As new creations, believers are to mirror the truth revealed in Jesus
rather than the deceit which has characterized their old fallen nature
(vv.31-32). The source of this new power for truth-telling springs
from the reconciliation and unity found in Christ. Because we are all
members of His body, we can grow in transparent honesty. We are no
longer alienated and deceitful independent beings, but people who
now belong together in unity. __DENNIS FISHER

[comfy]

Hi, cimi . . . good subject > yeah, I have done some talking away from someone, to get at them for putting me down and shutting out what I have to say. So, I might have said it if they would listen . . . but, even so . . . I still don't buy that, now, talking to someone else.

And I can *think* in secret in myself . . . so criticizing > but this is not having hope in prayer *for* the person, however wrong he or she may be. So, I do better *first* to be about hope and caring for people, though they be wrong.

Oh, though . . . about being transparent > I think in relating with each other it is good to take your time and enjoy one another, and not hurry to just be telling everything about yourselves. Do your personal sharing along with how you are developing in each relationship, *feeding* each other with what you have to share . . . instead of just tell tell telling in order to show you are so honest and open. Honesty is not just telling the truth, but honesty also involves knowing when it is good to share each thing . . . including being honest about what is worthy of attention.