Dear COA Family,
Last Sunday, Revd Gary shared with us the sermon on “Power of
Words”. In it, he shared that the words we use have the power to
build up or tear down. So, he urged us to use our words to build up
one another in the Lord.
The Apostle Paul also writes, “Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others
up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”
(Ephesians 4:29).
Yet what happens when we have nothing good to say?
This may happen if a particular situation is so bad that there is
seemingly no redeeming quality. Or it may happen when we are
emotionally triggered and have only anger in our hearts. Anything
we say at that moment would definitely not be helpful to the hearer
or to ourselves.
I believe that the Lord counsels us to keep quiet and refrain from
speaking in such situations. Then we will at least not make the situation
worse than it already is. Furthermore, we will not regret the words that
we utter in the heat of the moment which we do not truly mean.
I was faced with this situation before when I was accused of being
untruthful by another person. He even said angrily to me that I was not
worth his respect as a person. I felt hurt and angry that I was unfairly
accused. I wanted to defend myself through harsh words. Yet the Lord
spoke to me at that very moment to not engage in a wrong spirit. He
reminded me of Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin”.
I held my tongue then and did not respond to the accusations. Later, I
realised that it was the best course of action as the other person was
himself so angry that he would not have listened to anything I had to
say. The Lord had granted me wisdom to simply stay silent.
Beloved, in our interactions with one another, we will inevitably face
situations where we feel angry or unfairly treated. In such situations,
let us remember the instruction of our Lord to act in love towards one
another. Even if it is difficult, the best thing we could do at that very
moment is not to react in anger.
Silence can be golden.
It does not make a situation worse than it is and leaves room for God’s reconciliation and
justification to take place. It reinforces our trust and faith in God who defends us.
God bless,
Revd Ian