How Do We Speak?

What does the Swallow do when she is at the receiving end of a conversation that bordered on scorn? Does she react with gentleness?  Meekness?  Or retaliate in kind?

An eye for an eye?  Or turn the other cheek?

In such a situation today with a Christian friend, it was difficult for her to hold her tongue. Defending herself from the harsh words was foremost in her thoughts.  It was difficult to walk away without feeling hurt or offended.


It is not easy to be like Jesus.  How did He remain silent among the scornful crowd?  How did He 'opened not His mouth'?

Isaiah 53 : 7 (NKJV)
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.

Mulling over the incident later in the night, the Swallow was reminded that Christians are not perfect.  She remembered the many times when she had been the one who had spoken out of turn.  When the coin was on the other side.

1 Peter 2 : 1 - 5 (NKJV)
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

HOW DO WE SPEAK? by jadeswallow

An encouraging word lifts the heart
Bridges the gap when we're apart
But words of scorn build higher walls
Tears may fall, or friendship stalls
Is this how we speak to our family and friends?
With words that seem like a slap of the hand?
With words that hurt, or words that tear
Or words that are sometimes hard to bear?

How sad it is, when a Christian speaks
And we do not see a heart that is meek
Instead there is pride, and a haughty tone
Is this what it is to be a living stone?
To be like Jesus, to be like Him
We tell the world that we love Him
Yet in our speech - is there kindness and love?
Seasoned with grace from the Father above?

It was a humbling reminder.  "Help me, Lord, to be like You."