The predictive text feature on my cell phone can be very frustrating. I find myself unintentionally sending messages that do not make sense. Fortunately, I have not yet sent anything that would be considered inappropriate. I refer to this feature as my phone’s sin nature. It does what I do not want it to do.
The Bible reminds us of the importance of living a life of integrity. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17). I agree with the statement, “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember which lie you told to whom!” The challenge is, it is easy to be careless. One area is talking about another person “behind their back.” We think that what is done in secret will never be revealed. Jesus reminds us that just the opposite is true, but more on that in a moment.
I have found myself focusing on the importance of controlling my tongue. Jesus’ brother James makes the point this way: “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” ( James 3:2). referring to our talk. What we often miss is that our tongue is like the “check engine” light in our car. It can help us understand the condition of our hearts if we evaluate what we are saying. Our words reflect the condition of our soul.
This is why King David prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3). The Apostle Peter wrote, “For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;” (1 Peter 3:10). You will be surprised what you learn about yourself if you start evaluating what you say. I like to ask myself, “Why did I say that?” or “Why did I say it that way?”
I was reminded again in my daily reading about the importance of giving attention to my conversations. What I say in confidence will be revealed. Jesus taught, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2–3).
We know that one day we will give an account to the Lord. But there is also the reality that what we say in private almost always gets back to the person. Ask me how I know as a Pastor?
I may joke about my phone’s sin nature but the sin nature’s influence in my heart is not a joking matter. My title applies to every area of our lives. Let me encourage you to be a follower of Jesus who lives in such a way that there are no secrets. Let’s not say anything about a person that we would not say to them directly!
-Pastor Joe Parkinson