Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Reflection - Redemptive Relationships - Redemptive Conversations

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 21, "Redemptive Conversations", Question 1, Page 142.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Why is it important to watch our words every day?
PHOTO: Why is it important to watch our words every day?
The apostle James points out that the tongue is resistant to our attempts to tame it and is probably the last part of the body to be brought under control (James 3:3-12). It boasts, tells lies, curses others, and is "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). We need to practise the proper custody of the tongue if we are to honour God and bless others. An Egyptian desert father (in the early centuries of the church) said, "It is impossible to advance in virtue without custody of the tongue."

Jesus warned, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give accounts for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV). It seems that all the words we have spoken will come back to haunt us.


How would you assess the words you speak?
Some researchers claim that, on average, men speak about 7,000 words daily while women speak 20,000 words; others say that both genders speak about 16,000 words. That is a lot of words, and considering what Jesus said about being careful with our words, we should reflect deeply. We assess the words we speak by reflecting deeply our words.


How much of them are positive and how much are negative?
Positive: 10%, Negative: 45%, and Neutral: 45%.


Is there any adjustment needed in how you speak to others, both in what you say and how you say it?
Every words that comes forth from God's mouth gives us life and sustains us (Matthew 4:4). As we continue to walk with Christ, and as we age in years, should not our speech reflect the gracious and life-sustaining speech of God? The book of Proverbs gives much wisdom on doing this:

"Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity" (Proverbs 21:23).

"The mouth of the righteous is fountain of life" (Proverbs 10:11).

"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver . . . The lips of the righteous nourish many" (Proverbs 10:20-21).

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11 NASB). Meaning; a timely or appropriate word (fitly spoken) is like words of wisdom from God (apples of gold in a silver basket).

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23).

As part of being made holy, our speech will change. Paul urges us, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6).

Picture posted by Marcel Theroux on  02 February 2017 at 10:07 - The redemptive power of listening
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwF3aSQYiDSqu1XCp-aUlK3JWoBYpvokXppspA8QRw2xejuxIIPTnXOt-wyF-sw4z6JgPnm-1lnxDX4RVsfR5zBMRLI1bGTITsL9jcnc1ZApuLrGSxJLwaTYTHLifNZP1eKnc1VC5PMKM/s750/1_16a0838717c.1971923_3782709275_16a0838717c_large.jpg
https://imagevars.gulfnews.com/2017/2/2/1_16a0838717c.1971923_3782709275_16a0838717c_large.jpg
https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/books/the-redemptive-power-of-listening-1.1971924



Why is it important to watch our words every day? How would you assess the words you speak? How much of them are positive and how much are negative? Is there any adjustment needed in how you speak to others, both in what you say and how you say it?

Why is it important to watch our words every day?
[1]
The apostle James points out that the tongue is resistant to our attempts to tame it and is probably the last part of the body to be brought under control (James 3:3-12). It boasts, tells lies, curses others, and is "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). We need to practise the proper custody of the tongue if we are to honour God and bless others. An Egyptian desert father (in the early centuries of the church) said, "It is impossible to advance in virtue without custody of the tongue." [82]


Why is it important to watch our words every day?
PHOTO: Why is it important to watch our words every day?
The apostle James points out that the tongue is resistant to our attempts to tame it and is probably the last part of the body to be brought under control
(
James 3:3-12). It boasts, tells lies, curses others, and is "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (
James 3:8).
Picture posted by TS Oral Health on 25 February 2019 - Close up of a tongue that is on fire.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e8doE5jPg37V0Et6WW225JVbrGgMgSXx69KHQWs9kee1ZhkDoc5Z4cTMShoCHn78eS3V2UywoKmxI41jf-R1CyK5moeGCf97VazTg_MgmaJx6N7U3gJVJmCep9lK4E_nU4hoKnRhA5o/s2048/mouth.jpg
https://tsoralhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mouth.jpg
https://tsoralhealth.com/why-does-my-mouth-burn/tongue-on-fire/



Jesus warned, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give accounts for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV). It seems that all the words we have spoken will come back to haunt us.


Jesus warned
PHOTO: Jesus warned, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give accounts for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV).
Picture posted by Michael Shermer
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTNW_V-_wbDaxKrCTk2vGRyI42yn2iFtres0SEGIXePKQo69L3WC0f4tRO-QoVUhLM9Esl2SvPQujJct6bZRPcY5pNDF3Y_Vmcv4dFWpeXBxsCgyrlF0eGSX6lIjYinymFbqG8mZwH9U/s400/AGdIyO6J.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1256340701010419715/AGdIyO6J.jpg
https://twitter.com/gina_aversano/status/1176964890285748226



How would you assess the words you speak? [1]
Some researchers claim that, on average, men speak about 7,000 words daily while women speak 20,000 words; others say that both genders speak about 16,000 words. [81] That is a lot of words, and considering what Jesus said about being careful with our words, we should reflect deeply. We assess the words we speak by reflecting deeply our words.


How would you assess the words you speak?
PHOTO: How would you assess the words you speak?
We should reflect deeply. We assess the words we speak by reflecting deeply our words.
Picture posted by Hans Media, ©le-tan, unsplash on 29 October 2018 at 13:23

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKVSbVfEJolrTliy0x7dyAD7fgcmJaNXEq2BpQijYrAE1TgoV_-lWCimjT6pUQshpVH6htXh39IBhu64Vyf09flMqpLBoxrZ3Snym-el1BWsEDa-v7SQ5Qz1X2p4JR2DLYXjj12NO6EI/s2048/le-tan-719294-unsplash.jpg
https://post-phinf.pstatic.net/MjAxODEwMjlfNjgg/MDAxNTQwNzg2NzY0Mzgw.FZdFCsHuJ9whsxcqAOYyzOkug4sNf5GuNwn2r8s5VK8g.r6sAH70BvONKBvLir-b6em0AMvvi_bzp6qyp7YMxFGQg.JPEG/le-tan-719294-unsplash.jpg
https://m.post.naver.com/viewer/postView.nhn?volumeNo=16978651&memberNo=7094632&searchKeyword=%EA%B0%80%EB%93%A0&searchRank=16



How much of them are positive and how much are negative?
Positive: 10%, Negative: 45%, and Neutral: 45%.


How much of them are positive and how much are negative?
PHOTO: How much of them are positive and how much are negative?
Positive: 10%, Negative: 45%, and Neutral: 45%.
Picture posted by blogunik.com

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TcAmfpMGVqY_oZenGUKeuqwVuK51eEnGbRk2z-ewKO1KBLJ4BmAwXd4Sceps3ssOlCR30JctBp_e_1GDkDa4yXbQmg71fio9Eh-XFV4Vot-Sv5mUXZ401lzd65_zIcPFCYzSTj8lM7c/s1024/Suka-Memfitnah-Orang-Lain-1024x680.jpg
https://blogunik.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Suka-Memfitnah-Orang-Lain-1024x680.jpg

https://blogunik.com/hindari-ciri-ciri-orang-dengan-kepribadian-negatif-atau-buruk/



Is there any adjustment needed in how you speak to others, both in what you say and how you say it? [1]
Every words that comes forth from God's mouth gives us life and sustains us (Matthew 4:4). As we continue to walk with Christ, and as we age in years, should not our speech reflect the gracious and life-sustaining speech of God? The book of Proverbs gives much wisdom on doing this:


Adjustment needed in how we speak to others,both in what we say and how we say it.
PHOTO: Adjustment needed in how we speak to others,both in what we say and how we say it. The book of Proverbs gives much wisdom on doing this.
Picture saved by JaymeAndTheMoon to Artsy stuff

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmtstxfCS-l6LW-rlivZG0m3p0FTugGcHNcRlChLbxCLRfzSZt1Z8NCwJ0P4r6OSHIKJaFfuDjC00RBC-K2LHBGVbMxdVq0KIUrDDlqC28iOFU-sMBGVxur7I3iS-x9k4cR_-aMicI2c/s900/901e1de5ab842f6f042a46d0ffecdb4f.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/90/1e/1d/901e1de5ab842f6f042a46d0ffecdb4f.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/704954147895253616/



"Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity" (Proverbs 21:23).

"The mouth of the righteous is fountain of life" (Proverbs 10:11).

"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver . . . The lips of the righteous nourish many" (Proverbs 10:20-21).

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11 NASB). Meaning; a timely or appropriate word (fitly spoken) is like words of wisdom from God (apples of gold in a silver basket).

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23).

As part of being made holy, our speech will change. Paul urges us, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6).


As part of being made holy, our speech will change.
Dear Lord
PHOTO:
"Dear Lord, please help us to watch our words every day. The apostle James points out that the tongue is resistant to our attempts to tame it and is probably the last part of the body to be brought under control. It boasts, tells lies, curses others, and is ‘a restless evil, full of deadly poison’. Help us as we need to practise the proper custody of the tongue if we are to honour God and bless others. An Egyptian desert father (in the early centuries of the church) said, ‘It is impossible to advance in virtue without custody of the tongue.’

Jesus had also warned us that on the day of judgement we will give accounts for every careless word we speak, for by our words we will be justified, and by our words we will be condemned. We need your help every day that all the words we have spoken will not come back to haunt us.

We learn that some researchers claim that, on average, men speak about 7,000 words daily while women speak 20,000 words; others say that both genders speak about 16,000 words. Lord, that is a lot of words, and considering what Jesus said about being careful with our words, help us to reflect deeply so that we can assess the words we speak.

My spoken words are largely negative, and very little of them are positive. There are adjustment needed in how we speak to others, both in what we say and how we say it. Lord, be with us in protection, guidance, wisdom, and direction.

We learn that every words that comes forth from God's mouth gives us life and sustains us. As we continue to walk with Christ, and as we age in years, help us in our speech to reflect the gracious and life-sustaining speech of God.

Help us to learn from the book of Proverbs which gives much wisdom on doing this:

"Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity" (Proverbs 21:23).

"The mouth of the righteous is fountain of life" (Proverbs 10:11).

"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver . . . The lips of the righteous nourish many" (Proverbs 10:20-21).

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11 NASB). Meaning; a timely or appropriate word (fitly spoken) is like words of wisdom from God (apples of gold in a silver basket).

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23).

As part of being made holy, our speech will change. Paul had urged us to let our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by YouVersion, bible.com
Reflection - Redemptive Relationships - Redemptive Conversations
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 21, "Redemptive Conversations", Question 1, Page 142.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



Other Books


 
Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 21, "Redemptive Conversations", Page 137-139.

[81] The significant difference between the two genders can be found in neuropsychiatrist Dr Louann Brizendine's The Female Brain (New York,Broadway Books, 2006). Others, such as psychologist Dr Matthias Mehl, have produced figures that are almost similar, about 15,700 words for men and 16,200 for women; see Julie Huynh, "Study Finds No Difference in the Amount Men and Women Talk", 19 June 2014, University of Arizona Undergraduate Biology Research Program Gazette, https://ubrp.arizona.edu/study-finds-no-difference-in-the-amount-men-and-women-talk/.

[82] Vitae Patrum: Sayings of the Egyptian Fathers (sixth century; Vitae Patrum, 2004), Appendix 3, http://www.vitae-patrum.org.uk/page161.html.
96. An old man said: "It is impossible to advance in virtue without custody of the tongue. Custody of the tongue is the primary virtue."


Links


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Colossians 4:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4%3A6&version=NIV

James 3:3-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A3-12&version=NIV

James 3:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A8&version=NIV

Matthew 4:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A4&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A36-37&version=ESV

Proverbs 10:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+10%3A11&version=NIV

Proverbs 10:20-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+10%3A20-21&version=NIV

Proverbs 15:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15%3A23&version=NIV

Proverbs 21:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+21%3A23&version=NIV

Proverbs 25:11 NASB - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+25%3A11&version=NASB