Christlike Communication

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].

(-Colossians 4:6)

Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus acting in two contrasting ways. He confronted the moneychangers in the temple, overthrowing their tables and firmly demonstrating God's will to all those who watched Him. He said to them, "The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers," (Matthew 21:13) Yet in other places, we see Jesus standing falsely accused, without speaking one word in His own defense. So what are we to learn from His communication patterns? He was a lion when He needed to be and yet always a lamb-He never sinned or failed to be excellent in speech. It's difficult to ignore insults and shun retaliation. Isaiah 53:7 says of Jesus, "He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth."

Sometimes I find that one of the hardest things God has asked us to do is to Christlike in our communication with others. When somebody is rude and tells you off, mistreats or insults you, it is hard to just stand there and look at them with godly love and just wait on God. Thank God, He gives us the power to change and to become like Christ. I still feel the reaction of my old nature sometimes, but more and more I am learning self-control. The key to improvement is to learn to confront when God says to confront and to leave an issue alone when God says to leave it alone.

Page 351
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author

Also please remember at all times, no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what things look at in front of you, that you all ways have God to run to. God loves you with all His might, just go to Him and He will save you.