Thought For Today: “Inoffensive Words”

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The sound of a clanging cymbal is very annoying. When I played in band, I sat one row down from the cymbal player, and every time he’d bring those things together, I’d cringe.

The inevitable result of speaking, no matter how eloquent it may be, if not delivered in love, will be offensive. In other words, the depths of our hearts determine the effectiveness of what we say.

Paul says we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

When God’s love is sovereign in our hearts, then our words will be heard, understood, and acted upon. But if God’s love doesn’t reign in our hearts, then the words we speak will only serve to drive people further away from God.