OUR DAILY BREAD : RECKLESS WORDS

[cimi]

THURSDAY OCTOBER 8


RECKLESS WORDS

READ:
1 Peter 2:23
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When they hurled
their insults at
him, he did not
retaliate.
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I had been driving for almost half an hour when my daughter suddenly wailed from the backseat. When I asked, "What happened?" she said her brother had grabbed her arm. He claimed he had grabbed her arm because she had pinched him. She said she pinched him because he had said something mean.

Unfortunately, this pattern, which is common between children, can show up in adult relationships too. One person offends another, and the hurt person shoots back a verbal blow. The original offender retaliates with another insult. Before long, anger and cruel words have damaged the relationship.

The Bible says that "the words of the reckless pierce like swords, and that "a harsh word stirs up anger" but "a gentle answer turns away wrath" (PROV. 12:18; 15:1). And sometimes not answering at all is the best way to deal with mean or cruel words or comments.

Before Jesus' crucifixion, the religious authorities tried to provoke Him with their words (MATT. 27:41-43). Yet, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate...Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly" (1 PETER 2:23).

Jesus' example and the Spirit's help offer us a way to respond to people who offend us. Trusting the Lord, we don't need to use words as weapons. ______Jennifer Benson Schuldt

**Dear God, please give me self-control through Your Holy Spirit
when I am tempted to retaliate with words.
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A soft answer has often been the means of breaking a hard heart

********************Today's Bible Reading _ 1 Peter 2:13-25*************************
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human
authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme
authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to
punish those who do wrong and to commend those who
do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should
silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free
people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live
as God's slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your
masters, not only to those who are good and considerate,but
also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone
bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are
conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit or if you receive
a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for
doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before
God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his
mouth."

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made not threats. Instead, he
entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. 24 "He himself
bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to
sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been
healed." 25 For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you
have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHTS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
To "follow in [Christ's] steps" means we are
called to pursue a walk of purity and honesty (vv. 21-22), a walk
that is not vengeful or vindictive (v.23), and a walk of deep trust in
God the Father (v.23). This is not only an example of how to build
personal relationships, but it's also the essence of the gospel of
grace__God's favor to those who do not deserve it.