Taking a break from our current podcast mini-series on 1 Thessalonians 5 to tackle a great question from a listener.
How do we find balance between loving like Jesus and sharing the truth of God's word?
[Translation: How do we treat others kindly when we really want to smack them upside the head? ]
It just so happens to pair nicely with our discussion on how to live in this crazy world as a Jesus follower.
We talked a lot about being in prayer with God to know when He desires for us to speak and when to be quiet. Ezekiel 2-3 shows us that when God calls us to speak we are not to be afraid of their words, threats or dismayed by their dark scowls. When we are called to speak from God we should speak whether they listen or not, but when God calls for silence we are to be silent. I just wish he would stick my tongue to the roof of my mouth when I was supposed to be quiet and loosen it when I was to speak so it was always crystal clear.
“Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.” Ezekiel 3:24-27