I can imagine that most people, in the course of their lives, have experienced negative opinions and disparaging comments about their identity, abilities, appearance, or character.  To some degree we can consider these comments to be curses, particularly if we believe them.  Many children have no other point of reference for truth about themselves than the words spoken by parents or other influential adults in their lives, which makes cutting, hurtful statements all the more devastating—life and death are contained in the words we speak (Proverbs 18:21).

I admit that there were some areas in my life where I seriously doubted my worth as a human being.   Love was conditional on appearance and performance, and always just out of reach.  I accepted the assessment that I was either incapable or just mediocre at doing some things that I really wanted to do.  Unfortunately, I lived like a person in a prison cell, cuffs on my wrists, chains on my ankles, the barred cell door closed—but all were unlocked, I was free to walk out, but I had no clue.

Often, when I don’t think I need anything from God, I forget His sufficiency for everything that I do need.  When I do not have the resources within myself to obtain spiritual and emotional healing, or my day-to-day finances run short and I really need Godly wisdom to survive, it is time to remember that God’s provision is inherent in His promises.

The promise is “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32), and Jesus tells us that He is “the truth” (John 14:6)–so when we know Him, we have freedom from the past, freedom from the damaging words, and freedom from spiritual bondage.  “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36).  I have freedom, but I haven’t seen total release from some of the wrong attitudes and habits in my life—however, I can rejoice in having God’s promises because it also means I have His provision!

The amazing provision of grace is not entirely the reason I wanted to write this blog.  Truly, the blessing of redemption is enough to cause me to dance for eternity!  However, just as God gives spiritual gifts to build up His body, He also gives us grace so that we can extend that same grace to others.

Friends and family members have expressed to me lately painful situations where Christians have spoken words of condemnation or spiritual curses indicting of sin, wrong-doing, ignorance or foolishness—a condemnation of a young mother for experiencing post-partum depression, a woman having difficulties with pregnancies condemned and judged because it was assumed she had sin in her life, someone told that they were unlovable, or judged not to be marriage material, a Christian woman preferring to work with non-Christians because many Christian employees she had worked with in the past were vicious and cut-throat; whereas, the non-Christians had more decency and respect for others.

I can almost understand people, who do not know better, making hurtful statements, but not Christians; and I have difficulty understanding why those claiming to be followers of Jesus maintain a hostile work environment.  It truly grieves me to know that friends of mine who are not believers really do have a case against “hypocrites”!

I remember a chorus we used to sing when I was younger, “They will know we are Christians by our love….”—not our doctrine, nor our self-righteous opinions and religious attitudes, rather, it is our love that identifies us as followers of Jesus.  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

“For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:13-15).

“With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so!” (James 3:9, 10)

This is definitely not a “me and them” situation—I know that I have said hurtful and judgmental words to and about others—this is a sin situation and I truly want to step up to a new level of freedom.  I confess that I have not always spoken kindly or lovingly—I truly want the blood of Jesus to cleanse me from unrighteous speech so that the sins of self-righteousness, judgmental words, and critical attitudes will not spill out of my mouth and onto others.

The only way I know of living and speaking at a level of freedom and holiness pleasing to God is through the indwelling Holy Spirit; however, we can find good gauge for our thoughts, and the words we speak in Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

My prayer is that my life and the lives of God’s people would grow to more closely reflect the life of Jesus, and that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to Him.