War of Words - Chapter 11 - Turning

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"Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God." Joel 2:13

This chapter, First Things First, is about turning.  Turning away from the old way and turning toward God's way of communicating with others.

Have you ever spoken the truth to someone before you checked your own heart?  Do you make sure your motivations are right?   Will you tear down with your words, or will you align yourself with Jesus and point the way to love?  Will you speak in a healthy manner, or as Mr. Tripp said, "will you add layers of difficulty to the problem at hand?"

The gospel gives us promises of forgiveness, deliverance, restoration, reconciliation with God, wisdom and mercy.  Our words can be a picture of these promises, but we must be willing to submit to the Holy Spirit as we speak.

Practically speaking, what does that look like?

Step One:  Consider your ways.

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Step Two:  Confess sinful attitudes and words.  We must acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle going on in each of us as we communicate with others.

Step Three:  Commit our way to the Lord.  Our sinful nature helps us to forget to use our words in a Christ-like manner.  We must determine to work on our own hearts first.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

I loved the idea that Paul gives us here in getting dressed for the occasion of communicating with one another.  So what do we wear?  Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Step Four:  Change. 

"Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a radical change in your life, in its relationships and daily situations. Since it is out of the heart  that the mouth speaks, heart change will always lead to communication change."  First Things First, War of Words

We must take off the old self and put on the essence of Christ.  This does not give us the power to change people, but it gets our sinful nature out of the way and allows others to see God much more clearly!

"Confront one another with the presence and glory of Christ.  Reinforce the reality that he is here and active.  Be a window to His glory!" First Things First, War of Words

The heart of this chapter is loving action.  Love is a humble verb.   It doesn't separate people as good or bad.  It doesn't label one man as having arrived, while seeing another man as permanently stuck in Sinville.  Love recognizes that, "God is not only working on you, but  He is also working on me."

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Grateful for grace,