At Our Fingertips

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

I never cease to be amazed at the vitriolic diatribe attached to most any posting on the Internet these days. What might begin with a simple news report is often open to public comments that quickly turn judgmental and vile. And how easy it can become to get sucked into reading them.

However, 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6 in The Message reads, The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

Throughout Scripture, we are cautioned to guard our hearts, control our tongues, to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, and to walk in self-control. The self-control to NOT read, write, copy, or forward ugly, judgmental words. The self-control to stop clicking on that which is not edifying to God, ourselves and others. The self-control that extends to our fingertips at the keyboard. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us for the times we have chosen to respond in our flesh rather than walk in the Spirit. Help us to quickly recognize when it is happening and to exercise self-control. We want to live and walk in the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Help us to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen