PHILIPPIANS 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

THEME OF THE DAY: DON’T ASSUME, THINK, OR SPEAK NEGATIVELY.   This is not going to be an easy nugget to swallow if it applies to you.  It wasn’t easy to write because, sadly, it has applied to me. So, there is the warning and now the painful introduction – “Have we ever thought of another Christian critically or negatively?  Have we ever been in conversation and shared words about another Christian that did not edify and violated today’s scripture? And this includes so called “private conversations” at home with our spouses.  By the way, there are no private conversations. The Lord hears them all. Another “by the way”, if we have been a participant in any of those type of negative conversations, it is called gossip and slander which are serious sins in God’s eye.   The Apostle Paul would tell us the type of speech we are to have, not sometimes, but all the time – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29). And a few good rules of thumb to ask before we engage in a conversation that is about a person – Is what we are about to say kind and uplifting? Would we say this directly to the person we are talking about with ease?  Am I aware that Jesus hears every word I am about to say, and He will hold me accountable for each word?  As for the last question or rule, here is what the Lord actually said and means, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36).

As we consider this serious topic, we need to be reminded of two things.  First, what we say reveals what is in our hearts.  The tongue is only a messenger of the message the heart sends – The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

The second thing to remember is to think or speak negatively of other Christians is to mistreat royalty – sons and daughters of King Jesus. Yes, some Christians are immature and difficult. Yes, some Christians lack biblical discernment especially when it comes to choosing churches. Yes, some Christians will hurt us. Yet Jesus bears with all of them in love and not with a critical attitude. Do likewise with all His sheep. Remember to handle them with care. They are royalty, even when their “wool is dirty” by sin and selfishness.

So, let’s ask the Lord to put a watch on our hearts, minds, and tongues so we may not assume, think, or speak negatively about other Christians. Remember, they are royalty.

PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the times I am quick to think negatively of God’s people.”

QUOTE: “To think ill, be critical, or judgmental of other Christians is to mistreat royalty – Jesus’s blood bought people.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim