Morning Devotional: The Things People Say (Protestant/Evangelical Devotional)

“Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.” - Ecclesiastes 7:21–22 Spend just a few minutes listening to kids as they play on the playground or in the park, and there are a couple of phrases you will almost certainly hear spoken. If a younger girl catches her sister doing something that she is not supposed to do, the little sister will soon exclaim, “I’m telling mommy and daddy!” Find a little boy who is being teased by another group of children, and you may hear him say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”

As we well know, however, the words that people speak against us or about us can be incredibly hurtful, leaving deeper scars than physical blows ever could. When others say phrases that wound us, and we know that such people really do mean what they say deep down in their hearts, then the persistence of these emotional scars is entirely reasonable. Sometimes, however, we put too much stock in what others say. We hold on to hurts caused by words spoken in a fit of anger or frustration and not out of a rationally settled opinion about us. Furthermore, we also hold grudges against those who have spoken unkind things against or about us, even when the offenders have apologized and gone the extra mile to show us that they are truly contrite.

Today’s passage points out the foolishness of holding on to such grudges and the silliness of taking words spoken in a fit of anger too seriously. Why? The Preacher gives two reasons. First, we might “hear [our] servant cursing” us (Eccl. 7:21). What may be in view here is the idea that if we pay heed too closely to the vindictiveness of even those who are not likely to hurt us, we will unnecessarily have our emotional life disturbed. It does not make good sense to listen to those who cannot really hurt us. If we do, we will be distracted from the important work that God has given us and caught up trying to make peace with people who never really want to be at peace with us. As Proverbs 26:4 teaches, in many cases we must “answer not a fool according to his folly.”

The second reason why we should not take to heart all the bad things that are said against us has to do with the fact that we have cursed others ourselves (Eccl. 7:22). This seems to be the Preacher’s way of getting us to judge others by the same standard we use for ourselves. We know that we have said or thought things in the heat of the moment that we did not really mean, so we should allow for the possibility that others have done the same.

Harsh words spoken against us are hard to bear, but as we have seen in Ecclesiastes 7:21–22, we have to develop discernment regarding when to take these words seriously and when we should ignore them. We should also keep in mind our own tendency to speak ill words against others so that we will refrain from gossip. Moreover, may we extend the same grace to those who apologize for what they have said about us that we would want them to extend to us for our sinful speech.

2 Samuel 16:5–14 5 When King David came to vBahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was wShimei, the son of Gera, and as he came xhe cursed continually. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And Shimei said as he xcursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The Lord yhas avenged on you all zthe blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me,1 and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. 14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan.2 And there he refreshed himself.

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Matthew 18:21–35 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished ato settle accounts with his servants.7 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand ctalents.8 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant9 fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred hdenarii,10 and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,11 until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

James 3:1–12 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, fable also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet hit boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,1 and set on fire by hell.2 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,3 these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Fascinating ...

What I am about to say is something the Lord placed on my heart a few days ago.

Years ago, I heard an instruction through a PMA class ...

What Do You Say When You Talk To Yourself ?

I was not saved then, so I made no spiritual application, however ... once I met Jesus, and started listening to preaching and reading the Bible, I found my thoughts had been altered to "think on these things"

(Philippians 4:8 .. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.)

I appreciate this thread

James 3
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

No truer words could be spoken, the tongue has caused more misery even among believers than every thing else put together.

‘...The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life
,1 and set on fire by hell.
2 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,3 these things ought not to be so.”

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LET US PRAY FOR THE WISDOM OF GOD TO LEAD US DAILY. fORGIVE US OUR HABITS OF COMPLAINING AND BEING ABUSED, SHINE THE LIGHT OF PEACE ON/IN OUR HEART AND GIVE US PEACE AS WE GIVE IT TO OTHERS. Peace!

Truly A GOOD QUESTION. MOSTLY I LOOK FOR HOW TO DO, BE, SEE BETTER THAN I AM. NOT ALL THAT SUCCEFULLY. THANK YOU.

HOW DO YOU DO WHEN TALKING TO YOURSELF?

Better to at least try and make your words a little sweeter.Makes it a little easier if you have to eat them.

LOL, Roger that bro. Taming the tongue is a constant battle. I try to eat them before I say them, but I am not always successful. Good morning all.

....” If a younger girl catches her sister doing something that she is not supposed to do, the little sister will soon exclaim, “I’m telling mommy and daddy!”....

Oddly enough we see this happening among adults at the work place, in churches and other venues where people gather. I’ve often wondered why the “urge to run to” is so strong in some more than others who have ‘learned’ how to handle their own situations or even simply walking away. What is it that moves people to bring in others into the space they’re in????

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