Words

2 Timothy 2:14-19, “Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

How often have you seen a seemingly simple disagreement widen and deepen because of the way in which words were used among the disagreeing parties? It happens so much among governments that each polity has a diplomatic service corps to make sure that wars aren’t started over words. Not that these diplomatic service corps have entirely prevented wars. Consider this, words divide us from one another. Often it is because we don’t take the time to listen carefully or to choose our words carefully and more often than not it is because both things are happening at once. In this pastoral letter to Timothy we see that wrangling and fighting is becoming a sickness within the church. Gossip, lies, innuendo, fighting over words and misunderstandings divide churches all over the world. It happens in our communities. We have the power to stop such divisive behavior and remember these words, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

Prayer: Father, thank You for today and all that it brings and thank You for salvation offered through the blood of Jesus Christ. Father, help me to use the right words today. Help me to hear the right words today. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.