THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Two little boys were fighting, and one hit the other in the nose causing a nose-bleed.
The teacher stopped the fight. One of the boys, having just studied about liberty in history, said, "But we have the right to express ourselves freely!"
The teacher replied, "Yes. But your freedom of expression ENDS where his nose BEGINS!"
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1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
KJV
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Usually, the Scripture above is aplied to more base sins - adultery, fornication, drunkenness, etc. However, let us look at it in a different light.
One of our greatest liberties in America is "freedom of speech." We are free to express ourselves through conversation or writing without imposition. However, we must understand that every freedom implies self-restraint.
As Christians, we are strangers in this world because most of the world is not like us. We are pilgrims also, intent upon developing new beginnings from old mannerisms. Our desire for Christ to be known by others demands that we call them away from an old way of life to a new way of life in Him.
Therefore, we must exercise self-restraint. We must abstain from the low attitudes of worldliness because they "..war against the soul." There is no doubt that even Christians have a desire to answer unkind words with unkind words. But....
When expressing ourselves against the sins of worldliness, we must take the example of our Master, Jesus. Peter says in 1Peter 2:23, that when He was "..reviled, reviled not again.." The carnality of man, even a Christian, extends to his expression. And we must yield ourselves to the desire and example of our Master, not "biting back" when we are bitten!
Let us remember to keep our "..conversation.." wholly holy! In this manner, even though the world may speak of us in an evil manner, they cannot help but see the "..good works.." of self-restraint in our expression. And this action will "..glorify.." our Lord.
But simplicity prevails.
When others "sling mud," don't answer by slinging more mud.
Remember, he who slings mud loses ground!
Love ya,
Bruce