What Are You Talking About?!

Finish the following sentence: "If you can't say anything nice, _______."

This movie is so sad but cute at the same time

Did you get it? You may recall sweet little Thumper saying this in Bambi. Growing up, I think this was one of, if not the first, most often repeated phrases to me. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!

Where in the world has this mantra gone? Does it just not apply to adults? Especially Christian adults?!

Lately, I've been absolutely grieved by the tendency of our mouths to spew forth complaints, gossip, and hate. Christ's body, the Church! Sounding like the very ones who mocked Him while hanging on the cross! Have we forgotten the words of our Savior that "a healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit" and that "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 7:18-19)?

Overwhelmingly often, we choose to gripe about our job and co-workers, the state of our nation, the weather, our relationship problems, traffic... and we even whine about the stress that comes from all these horrible things! We opt to gossip about someone's sin instead of praying for and reaching out to them. We're quick to react defensively and aggressively when anyone doesn't treat us like royalty!

Do you see it? Do you see how we sound like the world? What are we talking about?!

Not that I am perfect at this subject, but I have a proposition: if heaven is real, if eternity with God is our hope, we should speak like it! Here's how we can do that:

1. Remind one another of the coming of the LORD! In such dark times as these, I think this one is the most important. Did you know we're actually commanded to encourage believers with the truth of Christ's return? After powerfully describing the Day of the Lord, Paul instructs the Thessalonian church twice to encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11). How often do you remind your fellow believers that Jesus Christ, our very life, is coming soon to bring us to glory (Colossians 3:4, Revelation 22:20)?

   
   

   "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, emphasis mine)

   
   

   If those verses don't make it clear, nothing will. Every day that passes on this earth is a day closer to ETERNAL JOY! Every tear cried is bringing us closer to UNFAILING PEACE! Every disappointment resulting from sin will soon end in PERFECT SATISFACTION! Oh, church! Encourage one another with these words! We have hope! Sure, steady hope that does not put us to shame (Romans 5:5)! Hallelujah! Maranatha! Our Lord, come!

2. Be thankful! Instead of complaining about your life to make conversation, why not boast in God? Why not speak of all the wondrous things He has done and is doing in your life? Be quick to ask others of their testimony, and to share yours.

   
   

   "Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

   make known his deeds among the peoples!

   Sing to him, sing praises to him;

   tell of all his wondrous works!

   Glory in his holy name;

   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!" (Psalm 105:1-3)

   
   

   What more wondrous thing than to have been saved from eternal wrath? We should therefore be eternally grateful to our Redeemer. And, as if this unmerited salvation isn't enough, we are clothed, fed, and sheltered. God provides for our every need; those who seek Him lack no good thing (Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 34:10). Let us then be a light to those far from God by boasting in the cross and resurrection (Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15). May we be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in by rejoicing in what God has done through His Son!

3. Speak highly of others! Have you ever been hurt by someone spreading false witness about you? Or airing out your "dirty laundry" for all to hear? If so, why would you do it to others? Aside from the fact that it's a flat out sin, of course.

I mean... (via Community Baptist Church)

We must be incredibly mindful about how our speech affects others. Not only does gossip hurt those its about, but it also enters the inner parts of the body, rotting the bones of those you're speaking to (Proverbs 14:30, 18:8).

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as it fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

There is never any excuse, need, or reason to speak hatefully of anyone. How do you glorify God by murdering one of His image-bearers in your heart (Matthew 5:21-22)? (And ladies, just because you're a woman does not mean you're more entitled to this sin. And gentlemen, just because you're a man does not mean you're invincible from this sin.) Church, let us instead emphasize other's gifts and speak graciously of them.

Sure, to speak like heaven is real is to sound crazy. You will sound radically different from the moaning world if you speak with hope. But is that such a bad thing?

Don't get me wrong, it can be hard to break habits of sin. And unfortunately, we can't just flip a switch and "get better". If the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart, we're dealing with a deeper issue (Luke 6:45). The Master Physician must perform holy surgery on us, the circumcision of our hearts. We must ask Him to bear good fruit in us through His Spirit. We must gorge ourselves on the nourishment of Scripture so that God's Word overflows out of us. May we be continually before the throne, knowing that we will find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Your sister in the Fight,

Jadyn