Today I want to share again from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland's "From Faith To Faith devotional!
Thank God Instead
If possible, as far as
it depends on you, live at peace with every one. Romans 12:18, The Amplified
Bible
When I was a new
Christian, it was almost impossible for me to live at peace with anyone! Almost
every time I opened my mouth, I said something ugly. I was constantly hurting
the people I was close to. In fact, I spoke more harshly to them than to anyone
else.
I criticized Gloria's
driving so much that she nearly refused to drive while I was with her. I
criticized my children so much that they began to avoid me. I didn't want to be
so insensitive, but I couldn't help it. I had a well-developed habit of
speaking harshly and didn't know how to change it.
Then I found Ephesians
5:4. It said, "[Let there be] no coarse, stupid, or flippant talk; these
things are out of place; you should rather be thanking God" (New
English Bible). When I read that, I realized I needed to replace the
words I was used to saying with words of thanksgiving. That would solve my
problem. After all, I couldn't speak harshly and thank God at the same time. I
couldn't criticize those around me if I had a thankful attitude about them.
I immediately decided
to put this principle to work in my life. Rushing into my son's room one day
ready to lambaste him about something he had done, I recognized my old behavior
pattern. I just stopped and said to myself, "The Word says this kind of
behavior is out of place, so I am going to stop and thank God." I wasn't
nearly as angry after I spent a few minutes praising and thanking the Lord.
If you've developed
the habit of speaking harshly, start changing that habit today. When someone
crosses you on the job, at school, or wherever, and you're tempted to tear into
them with cruel words, stop! Then take a few moments to give thanks and praise
to God. Once you begin thinking about how good God is, more often than not,
those harsh, angry words will just slip away unspoken.
Instead of using your
tongue to tear people down, train it to lift God's praises up. Then living at
peace with others will come easily to you!
AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Thank You, Lord":
Shalom in Him!
