"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).
Authenticity is the capacity of being open and honest with ourselves and with others. To be an "authentic person" I share openly with others, with no hidden agendas. A few years ago, there was an expression that people would always say, "I am keepin in real..." This idea of "keepin it real" was a declaration of I will tell it like it is no matter what. Often time this expression was displayed in crude obnoxious ways, that offered very little benefit. In other words it was just an excuse to express without tact.
This idea of "keepin it real" often would hurt, wound and maim those to whom the statements were directed. But the excuse was, that is okay because I am just "keepin it real". This is what the writer of Proverbs is addressing in the lesson text today. Words are vehicles of expression, they express our feelings and communicate our thoughts. Words are powerful in that they have the ability to create or destroy. A person of Faith always watches his or her words because they know the power of words.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath..." Think about it! If we know who we are in Christ, if we know the power of words, I have nothing to prove to anyone, I can select my words and respond to anyone with a gentle answer. When one is operating by the Spirit of God within them, there ego is not involved in the conversation and they can express openly and honestly, but no in a contentious spirit.
"harsh words stirs up anger." When we operate in the ego and we have something to prove, it is very easy to chose the harsh words that triggers strife, contention and a response from the other person's ego. When we operate from the ego we trigger an ego response from others by the way we communicate.
The next time you think about "Keepin it Real", think about are you really being authentic or is it a facade to hide some other issue. Remember the words that you use are powerful; and to ask yourself will I destroy or create with the words that I am expressing.
Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!
Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA
Spiritual Focus: Watching Our Words
Spiritual Prayer Treatment
Father, I watch my words and I honor you.
I will use my words to build up and to
empower.
I will communicate with others to build them up
and demonstrate love.
In the Name of Jesus and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!
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