~ Emily Kimbrough ~
Emily’s quote is awesome and very timely. Thanks Darlene for picking it. 🙂
I have seen/read how much we, as Christians, hurt each other. No matter if it is in our own churches or here in the Blogsphere. Ephesians 4:29-30 came to mind:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (NIV – emphasis mine)
Read it slowly and focus on what Paul is saying: “unwholesome talk”, “building others up” “those who listen”…Actually reading through the entire chapter of Ephesians 4 talks about the unity in the body of Christ. Wonderful chapter to memorize as a Christian…
I have read several Blogs this past weekend where people got hurt by their bothers or sisters in Christ – BTDT!
Sure we all are attending different churches for one reason or another. But even though we do, it does not mean that we have to rip other Christians apart “in the open”. You never know who is watching us or listening in. We not only witness sharing the Gospel or our own story of salvation, but also how we treat each other in the body of Christ. That is why enjoy reading or listening to women like Darlene or Beth, because they are trying to unite the body of Christ and not divide it.
So in other words for this week; my own words: “If I stumble in my walk, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I need your hand to help me up, and not your foot in my back”…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Help us to see our own faults in the body of Christ. Show us Your Glory. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
I hope you don’t still feel exanimate. I felt that way myself not but a few days ago. So, I really relate to what you’ve written here. In a way I feel that you were speaking directly to me. God is a genius. I love you!
GREAT post! Good reminder to all of us. I’ve also been reading this past weekend about Christians hurting Christians. It makes me mad and sad at the same time, but it also makes me more sensitive to my own actions and words, which is a good thing.
Camy
Thank you, Iris. Really nice words. I so agree.
What’s BTDT?? Haven’t seen that one before.
“The Bait of Satan” by John Bevere addresses the issue of Christians taking offense with one another. If I were to summarize the book in one statement it would be – We are all fallible and do things we shouldn’t, but getting offended with one another is exactly what the enemy wants to see happen; it give him a way to further divide the church.
As I see it, offense is taken by the person not doing the offending. We have a choice whether or not to be offended and, with God’s help, we can choose to humble ourselves instead. Loving our brothers when they mess up and gently correcting them as well as knowing when to allow them to be wrong takes more grace than I can always conjure up.
Lovely post as always, Iris! Your gentle admonishments always give me cause to stop and think.
Great post!! Word to take to heart and practice.
Blessings,
Iris, thank you this incredible insight an encouragement. You are so right. Please add me to your list of people that want to be held accountable not to discourage and divide. If you hear it from my mouth, I covet your tap on my shoulder.
this has been such a big issue on my heart lately. Thank-you for your wonderful words!
As Christians we are constantly reminding ourselves that we are not perfect…therefore, please don’t show me where I am imperfect and have stumbled (I can beat my ownself up about that), show me instead, the areas where I have grown, where I can turn for help (this is the comfort that I find hard to ask for)…thanks Iris for bringing this issue up….accountability for the positive…not the negative.
You’re so right – we are all one body. We shouldn’t be trying to hurt each other! Thanks for a great post!
As you know from my past posts I have ran across this issue in the past and been very upset by it! I know I am not perfect and without sin but having someone else rub it in your nose in front of the blogdom and call themselves a Christian and accuse you of not being one can take its toll. I am just now finding how to stand against such hate and not sink too deep into despare. Your words as always are a comfort to a hurting soul and sister in Christ.
Iris, this was awesome. I originally chose the quote for this reason, “Uniting women of faith” but my words wouldn’t fit and I found myself writing about my relationship with my husband instead. You have great words of encouragement today. Thanks!
Great post! We shouldn’t add to the struggles of others with our words, but I think I agree with Carol as well, we shouldn’t let the words of others effect us (though I realize that’s easier said than done).
Amen, you know we were discussing this weekend how in this society Satan really need not do much, we are allowing our own vanity and pride take care of so much of his work…I have never much understood Christians hurting other Christians…imagine if I treated other families like this, if they did not eat dinner at the same time or put the kids to bed at the time I did….? Why then do we feel that we can bash each other…I don’t know and the only answer I can find is vanity…seeing ourselves in better light…I pray that I see everyone in the light that Christ has enshrouded them in, thats it….I pray that I can learn from others and their views and traditions….Now that would make CHRIST proud….
Amen! I think we all should help each other with love and be careful not to look down on others when they fall. After all, we could fall into the same thing ourselves!
Great post!
Iris, this was a great post. There is so much we have to deal with on a day to day basis, we should not be doing it among ourselves. It makes me sad when believers are hurting each other. Thanks for speaking up about it, may we all learn from it and be repentive.
Blessings
Excellent post, and bang right on!! The Word says that the world shall know that He is God because of OUR love. It is our unity and love for eachother that is such a huge part of the gospel…the good news about who God is and what He has done for us, and what He continues to do…when people see that Love in action they are attracted to Him. I loved this post. Thanks!!
Great post Iris! Very inspiring to me and what I really needed to read right now! Thanks for sharing some wonderful writing with us…..I really loved your post!
The scripture in Ephesians is eye-opening everytime I read it. I am reading a marriage book now by Ed Young Jr that has those verses in it….although, I am not surprised…we see it take place in marriages all the time – using words that are not building up and edifying. It takes place among Christians probably more than I realize…
Thanks for sharing your heart!
Great thoughts with referring to Ephesians. THANK YOU for sharing and your encouragements. 🙂 Loni
Good post Iris. Love is not provoked – and yet sometimes I am…
I’ve been away from my blog for a while and have missed visiting here. (I’m back no with my priorities sorted).
I wish there was a way to discuss issues on the internet without offenses but this medium seems prone to it – perhaps because people can’t see each other. God bless – I always appreciate your posts because they come across as heartfelt.
Yes, yes, yes… to everything you said. “Right speech” is so important, as is unity in the body of Christ. A really nice post, thanks. Encouraging, as always.
Very thoughtful post. Ephesians is such a good book and I’m grateful for your post. I do believe there are times we need to speak the truth (in love, of course), but certainly no bashing is necesary to do that. Hope I can jump in with some of these memes again soon. The whole crisis with my grandbaby threw me out of sync, but praise God, she’s doing well at the moment!
Love & blessings to you!
hugs,
Vicki
Hey Iris,
Wow…I can’t believe I haven’t taken a “Sting” visit in sooo long–I needed to be uplifted right now (kind of a doldrums kind of week :/), and I “knew” where to come :).
I’m in the midst of a post about the power of a kind word right now (to be posted later today), so this hit home, even though you wrote it a few weeks ago. I, too, have seen some devisive language in the blogosphere recently, and it grieved me. I realize sometimes people read “me” and probably make judgments about my casual and direct language, but I do pray it never maligns the name of Christ.
Words…mean…something.