Chaplains Corner May 2010

WORDS - DO THEY MATTER?

The following is a Christian Biblical Standard for dealing with our anger toward lying politicians.

Society's standard of language has declined in recent years, but we don't have to decline with it. We should think about how to honor God with our words and actions. We please God with our tongue when we show restraint and understanding. Proverbs 10:19 reminds us "He who restrains his lips is wise." When we do speak, we are to filter the words that escape our lips: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21-23}. In the heat of a quarrel, you say words that hurt and cut deep. Then we have to suffer the consequences. A simple corrective is to not let the words get beyond our lips. Then we can wrestle privately in our minds with our anger alone with our God who can purify us from our evil and destructive anger and show us the ways to deal with our anger that glorifies God and tells people we a faithful Stewards of God's creation..

A lot of us are experiencing great anger toward lying, secular politicians. As we respond to them, it is important to use kind, positive thought and words, even when we speak about the pain and despair we experience from distrustful politicians who no longer feel accountable to us, the people they are suppose to represent.. We must find ways to eat our words of anger and frustration and find constructive ways to deal with the lying, cheating, distorting, deceiving politicians and people in positions of power who have betrayed us and have caused us to no longer trust them.

Have you noticed that "a harsh word stirs up anger" but "the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly; (Proverbs 15:1-2). The Apostle Paul's tells us "let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29) sets a strong standard for a Christian's use of words. We are to honor God in each part of life, and use words that are pleasing and acceptable to a holy God, especially when we make decisions about responding to evil politicians. Instead of venting your anger without any benefit, join a group that shares your frustration with lying politicians. Then vote the deceiving politicians of office and financially support only those politicians who agree with your values that are based on God's absolute truths.

Remember the tongue can be a blessing, and the tongue can be a curse. So, my Special Forces friends, how are you using yours: Are your words for better or for worse.....What we say reveals who we are, and what we do reveals what we believe. Keep the faith and grow spiritually and let God guide your thoughts, words, and actions..

Chaplain John Szilvasy