Ssssh! Say Nothing

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge." James 4:11

This has got to be one of the hardest things for most people. You mean we shouldn't say anything negative about each other? I don't know about y'all, but sometimes people get on my nerves so bad that I feel a need to get all the negatives I feel about them out of my system verbally. Usually I feel the need to vent with a friend or loved one. However great doing this may feel to me, according to scripture, it is not the right thing to do.

The Father has left clear instructions for us to follow concerning how we speak about each other. From what I read in this passage, there is no room for negative speaking about a person - especially behind their back, ie (backbiting). Ewww! that sounds horrible! No one wants to be called a backbiter, least of all someone striving to be the best son or daughter of God they can be. But the truth is, friends, when we do these things, that's exactly what we become.

If you read James 4 in it's entirity, you will find that much of our need to do such things is to feed our own fleshly desires. Our number one desire is to feed our "pride". The human flesh always wants to feel like we're on top! We are fed constantly by the media to put ourselves first and to always make sure we win in every situation. And when I say win - I mean in a worldly way. Doesn't matter who you step on to get what you want and where you want to go.

This is not the Godly way to behave. Which brings me back to speaking evil against your brother (or sister). It's just unacceptable before The Father. The Word tells us to go to that brother if we have a grudge and speak to them. But, when you speak, you should speak the truth in love. You must not speak in a way to cut a person down or to hurt their feelings. More often than not, we don't even need to speak to that person, we just need to forgive and go on. Sometimes we need to let that relationship go if that person's spirit is of such that it continually causes you to want to verbalize negatively about them.

We must learn to do that which many of us find so very hard to do. We must be quiet and seek The Father's direction. Sometimes it's best to just say, "nothing". Much peace and respect to each and every one of you!

My Affliction is My Strength

af·flic·tion (\ə-ˈflik-shən\) 1 : the state of being afflicted 2 : the cause of persistent pain or distress 3 : great suffering


I know this title is a bit strange, but believe me, there's a message here. Praises to The Father! I was in meditation this morning and thought on Jacob and his affliction. If you're not familiar with this, click on the link for scriptures pertaining to it. I advise reading the whole chapter, but the key verses are Genesis 32:24-32:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=32&version=9&context=chapter

Jacob wrestled with God so long, that he developed a handicap. That's some hard wrestling! The thing is, even in the midst of his painful injury, he did not give up. You see, Jacob was fighting for a blessing! He was experiencing something very frightening to him. His first affliction was that he feared his brother would not only take his life, but his family's as well for a betrayal he was responsible for many years before. So, Jacob contended with God until he got a blessing. But, Jacob did not know that he was struggling with God. He thought he was fighting with a man. Isn't that how we often do? We think we are battling against a man and it's something so much more awesome! We think our employers or our government or people can help us, but it's The Father we must seek!

The thing I find outstanding about Jacob is that his afflictions became the highlight of his walk! That is awesome. He found joy in his affliction! I imagine every time he felt the pain in his joint instead of thinking negative, he thought of how close he was to The Father because of it. Isn't it during trials which affect our family and our body, that we seek God most? Jacob's blessing from JAH did not evolve without a struggle.

To the outside world he seemed weaker than any other time in his life. After all, he humbled himself before his brother and he had developed a limp. In truth, it was after he acquired his afflictions that he grew to be stronger, spiritually than he had ever been! This puts a new light on how we all can view our afflictions.

Much peace and respect to you! Be blessed!