“Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Oh, I hope they turn out!” Peeking into my glowing oven, I check on my gluten and fat free brownies.
They don’t come close to resembling the picture that sold me on the recipe in the first place. But that is no matter; I pat myself on the back anyway. Normally, I supply the vegetable tray for our Thursday night prayer meetings. Tonight, I’ve determined that my girlfriends are going to enjoy my hideous looking brownies….because they were made with love.
Glancing at the kitchen clock, I realize I’m late—again. I failed to factor in the cool-down part of the baking process.
As the oven beeps to let me know the brownies are ready, I turn it off and pull them out. Quickly grabbing a towel and throwing on my coat, I leave the house with my hot pan of undercooked brownies.
Sheri’s home is only a few blocks away. I shuffle along the Chicago streets, the sweet aroma trailing me.
“Oh Jules! What do you have here?” Monica is hovering by the front door taking the last puffs of her cigarette. She peeks into my tray.
“Is that edible?” she stamps her butt out in the gutter while looking at my treats with caution.
“You’ll be thanking me when you can still fit in your skinny jeans. They’re sugar, fat and gluten free!” I announce triumphantly while pressing on Sheri’s doorbell.
“So, basically they’re not edible.” Sheri is already standing in her open doorway, grinning widely.
“Valerie just called. She’s not going to be able to make it again this week.” Sheri grabs my tray and takes Monica’s coat.
We usher into her kitchen gathering like a group of hens.
“I hear she’s having marriage issues. We should pray for her.” Monica pipes up curiously poking at my brownies.
“I never liked Carl anyway. He’s so lazy!” Sheri pulls out a knife and starts cutting away.
Ironically, it was Valerie’s marriage that was ripped to shreds. Most of those brownies ended up in the trash that night; and I felt like I deserved to crawl right in there with them.
Although we girls got together with the best of intentions, it all went out the door the minute we entertained that spirit of gossip. Sadly, many Christians use prayer as an excuse to air another’s dirty laundry. What a shameful thing for God to witness. No good can possibly come out of doing this.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 specifically warns us not to deceive ourselves. Evil communication affects not only the people we talk about, but ourselves as well.
Many people’s idea of God will be affected by our representation of Him. As Christians, we have a responsibility to reflect the nature of Christ. When we loose sight of this, we can be the cause of not only major wounds, but major stumbling blocks to another’s salvation or relationship with God.
Before you speak, think about the effects of your words. Pray that God will help you to choose your words wisely. They can build someone up or tear someone down. Your words have that kind of power.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
When people think of me or have anything to say about me, I want to leave a pleasant taste in their mouth. This means that I must really guard what I say.
Lord, sometimes I find this beyond difficult—it feels impossible! When the conversation turns south, instead of chiming in my pathetic two cents, help me to be cautious in what I say. Give me the talent to artfully weave the conversation into a more positive place without making anyone feel condemned.
Convict my heart if I am speaking unkind words. Help me to see each person with your eyes, especially the people I am not particularly drawn to.
I was put on this earth with one purpose—to glorify YOU, Lord. In all that I do, in all that I say, my hearts desire is just that. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses:
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan