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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 7, 2005 Words |
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Frontline Devotion for Monday, February 7, 2005 By Brenda
Kessler
Matthew
12: 22-37
In today’s scripture reading the Pharisees accuse Jesus of being an agent of
Beelzebub, the prince of demons (the devil). Jesus confronts the
Pharisees, the legalistic church people, when they accuse him of being Satan’s
agent. He emphasizes that it is an “unpardonable sin” to attribute his
miracles to Satan when they are done in the power of the Holy Spirit.
I struggled writing a devotional with today’s scripture. My kind and
loving Jesus is being confrontational. I am uncomfortable with confrontation.
Then it came to me. “Flip Wilson.” Those of you who are “seniors”
as I am will remember Flip Wilson as being a comedian who often ended his
monologues with, “The devil made me do it.” He was, of course, not
responsible for anything he said or did. It was the devil’s fault.
Then I was drawn to the last verse of this passage. “Words are powerful;
take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be
your damnation.” (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.)
Tough words spoken by a loving Lord.
Wouldn’t it be easy to blame the devil for some of our words? Wouldn’t
it be easy to blame the devil for those words that inflict pain?
Wouldn’t it be easy to blame the devil for those words that criticize?
Wouldn’t it be easy to blame the devil for those words that tear other people
down? Wouldn’t it be easy to blame the devil for those words that take
the name of the Lord in vain? Wouldn’t it be easy to blame the devil for
those words that turn others away from God?
Jesus reminds us - rather strongly, I would say - to take our words seriously.
He reminds us to choose our words carefully. We, like Jesus, need to
embrace the Holy Spirit.
If we embrace the Holy Spirit we will use words that lift others up. If we
embrace the Holy Spirit we will use words that bring comfort to a hurting
person. If we embrace the Holy Spirit we will use words that bring God’s
love to others. If we embrace the Holy Spirit we will use words that give
glory to God’s name.
Perhaps if we “whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon,
whisper a prayer in the evening,” our hearts – and our words - will be in
tune.
“Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation.
Words can be your damnation.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that you are not always gentle with us.
Thank you for those times that you are tough on us. Thank you for those
times when you remind us that our behaviors and our words are not acceptable.
Forgive us. Help us to use words that build up your kingdom not tear it
down. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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