CONDUCT ‘Look before you lip’ is an idiom that suggests that we carefully analyze everything before we make verbal pronouncement in response. This I am sure concur with the ff :- “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” Prov18:13. A story was told of a man who invited guests to his residency for a dinner and guess who was the Chief Cook - his wife among many others, but the salt level was too high (something unusual) in a particular stew. In order not to embarrass his wife, he said aloud: - “Honey!!, I think I will need more salt, you know I like it”. It was already salty, but that was a clever approach. At a party held for dignitaries, an unattractive lady was found moving everywhere (ubiquitous), interacting with everyone with smiles doing all the mop ups, until the host, her husband decided to introduce this petit, less appealing woman(liken to Ajoa Smart in Ghana) to his guests: In a nutshell – this Phd holder, aside God, is the undergirding factor in this tall and huge businessman’s life. Her complementary role, unique. One salient description of this husband was that she is the most beautiful woman he ever knows on earth , whose eloquence is backed with wisdom, seasoned with salt –Colo4:6. In another development, a Minister of the gospel, found it fit to rain unwarranted insults on his patrons after delivering a live broadcast. His intimidating insults off air, was a matter that should not incur his displeasure , let alone talk about, yet, made it take centre-stage, dampening spirits & wasting people’s precious time. On this occasion, when he thought he spoke off air, the system failed him and was big time in his elements venting his anger on his patrons, shocking the listening public. The three(3) above constitute Communication for which James asked if Voltic water can run concurrently in the same conduit/pipe with water from Odaw river in Accra, Ghana(James3:10-12). If people needed relief (that was what prompted Jesus’ Matt11:28-30) and expected to be treated like kings & children of God, yet, an individual added more insults to worsen their conditions, what happens?. What do we learn from the Word of God:- Prov15:4 says “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit”. What else do we read in verse 23 which says – “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”. Nooo… matter the level of frustrations we encounter, the joy that wells- up in the faces of people who listen to Ministers (including myself) need not be compromised, & should be a source of inspiration to we Ministers of God too. Let us see what Prov27:17 has for us:- “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”. Surely, there are messages which should go to exclusive group or individuals, which should not be generalized else we end up rendering apology because an in- law we respected, was amongst the people we verbally assaulted, classified as ‘fools’ – “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools” Eccl 9:17. The disciples referred to Elijah calling fire to destroy but Jesus said No. Let us recognize the Spirit indwelling us – Luke9:49-56. Stay Blessed.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 10:07:36 +0000
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