There are some conversations you walk away from feeling flayed. Someone has used the sharp edge of their tongue on you, deserved or not, and the pain is awful. And it doesn’t help when they tell you they’re “saying it for your own good.” They may truly believe that, but the real-life result is not helpful.
When I think about conversations like that, I want to run and hide. And I feel the same about those conversations that go on behind your back—the gossip that spreads through a church or workplace, sometimes camouflaged as a “prayer request”—but it really serves as a chance for people to share hurtful, juicy details about someone else. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! How can such a tiny part of the body do so much harm?
The odd thing is, I don’t get that sort of pain from Jesus. Oh, He can say painful things when necessary, but never with the goal of causing pain or doing harm. His goal is always to heal and help. Even if He has to rebuke someone or judge them, it is clear that He is doing it with their best interests in mind—and that He never goes an inch past what is absolutely necessary to say. And if the person repents, He forgives immediately. The conversation is over. Jesus’ tongue heals instead of harming.
This is why I feel safe with Jesus. I know that He knows me through and through. I know that He loves me. When He has to correct me, I listen, because I know the heart that speaks through the words. It is the heart of a God who loved me—and you!—enough to lay down His life to rescue us, to draw us close to Him and make us His beloved people forever. This is the heart and tongue of the God who put our welfare before His own, and would do it again a thousand times if necessary. “For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone” (Lamentations 3:33 NIV).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, make my tongue like Yours—full of grace and love. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is it so easy to hurt people with our tongues?
2. Share a time when God used someone’s words to comfort, strengthen, or heal you.
3. What part of the Bible do you go to when you need to feel God’s love, strength, and comfort?