February 23, 2023
Is God Trying to Tell Your Something?
Understand this, my dear brothers, and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
(James 1:19 NLT)
My child, the more you walk the walk the less you must talk. Practice what you preach! When both my parents passed, I didn’t know when I flew home, I was going to face a very sensitive situation with siblings. I prayed before my arrival and very clearly the Holy Spirit whispered in that still small voice instructions. He whispered:
1. Keep your mouth shut.
2. Be a peacemaker.
3. No matter what, walk in love.
Upon my arrival at our parents’ home things heated up quickly between siblings, and the Holy Spirit nudged me and whispered we were to stop and pray before we could move forward. We were gathered around the kitchen table, and I said, “I believe we are supposed to start with prayer. I knew that would please Dad and Mom. Everyone nominated me to pray, and I felt the anointing as I took authority and dominion over that wicked evil spirit of division. I opened my eyes and most of my siblings had tears in their eyes there was a peaceful calm that came over us and it turned out to be a pleasant, orderly time together. The second time we met, things heated abruptly among siblings and again the Holy Spirit whispered we were to pray before we discussed or did anything. I spoke up and shared what I was hearing, and they asked me to pray. The peace of God flooded the house, and it too was challenging but peaceful.
It was challenging but I was able to respond, not react. Because of the Holy Spirit, I remained calm, kept my mouth shut, was the peacemaker throughout the situation, and walked in love. I saw the hand of God at work, and He turned everything the enemy meant for harm around for my good and His glory. (Romans 8:28) Not to make myself look good and be real, there have been other times I wish I had kept my mouth shut and walked in love. When you don’t, you only say things that will hurt someone, and you will have to go back and apologize per the leading of the Holy Spirit. As you mature spiritually you learn the lesson of keeping your mouth shut and walking in love. I believe this is a word for someone today!
A good leader encourages others by listening, not by speaking. As a leader, you must become less self-centered, withhold criticism, stay calm, and listen with empathy. People could care less about how much you know; they want to know that you really do care, so be a keen listener. There is healing power in listening; then, you act on what you hear.
James, the servant of the Lord, teaches us that “human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So, get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives. Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. However, don’t just listen to God’s word. You must activate it in your own life. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. If you listen to the word and don’t obey – it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget how you look! But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:20-27 NLT) I challenge you to apply James 1:20-27 to your life. We are given much wisdom from James. “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
