Nougat 11

You know, sometimes the task before us is not so much about what we do, rather it’s about what we do not do. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I keep repeating the story about a woman who was detained by the police, her record checked, etc because she was Cursing While Driving. The problem was, she was driving her own car, maybe in a hurry and kept gesturing to others and hurling obscenities at them. When pulled over, she spouted off and even made some snarky comments at the officer, who detained her. The question about the car ownership resulted in her questioning his literacy skills, and the officer simply ran her plates, then invited her to the station. Even then she couldn’t restrain herself. She poured the vitriol on like a perfume.

When her papers were returned to her, she made one last comment about the police officer’s ineptitude. But the officer, when questioned about detaining her simply said, ‘her car was filled with bumper stickers about Jesus, but her language and actions said that she was an impostor!’ Ouch

Sometimes the temptation to curse and swear at others is great. In fact, there are some places where it seems necessary for progress. I remember waiting in some punishing lines that snaked through parts of the building to pay bills and the staff took their sweet little time UNTIL that one person started cursing. They would magically remember that they were at work, sometimes only attending to that one person. The struggle to keep the temper in check is real.

God’s expectation is that we forbear (yes, I know forbearance is TUFF). Our Word today says, no matter the circumstances, No foul Nor abusive language! (I would add in a little kindergartner’s voice – and NO HITTING!). Maybe God was looking in the future and saw the woman being detained, but most likely, Paul’s desire for the believers was that they were visibly different from the rest of the society.

Popular or no, it ain’t a good look for us believers. Whether we are late and everyone else is driving like snails, or we’re going nowhere in a line from Hell, or we’re (deliberately) provoked, Paul says it’s not cool to curse. And I believe that this one came from God’s Spirit directly to Paul’s ear just for us.

No foul language

No cursing

No hitting

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ