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Men of Integrity, March/April 2005
Listening Lord
Theme of the Week: Watch Your Language
Wednesday, March 23
Key Bible Verse: Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything (Proverbs 13:3). Bonus Reading: Mark 7:14-23
The other day I was visiting a new Christian who told me he was studying his Bible, praying each day, and sharing his faith with others. But he was having one problem. Every so often, a noxious word would fly from his mouth like a sudden burp. "Well," I said, "give me an example. Go ahead and curse right now."
"Oh, no," he said with embarrassment. "I can't do that."
"Sure you can," I replied. "Let 'er fly."
"No!"
When I asked why, he replied, "You're my pastor. I can't cuss in front of you."
"Well," I said, "if you're ashamed to cuss in my presence, why aren't you ashamed to do it in the Lord's presence? He's always with you."
The young man got my point. Visualizing God's presence in your mind not only bestows comfort to your heart, but it restrains sinful tendencies in your behavior. It isn't a matter of projecting an imaginary image of God and pretending He's there. It's a matter of recognizing the presence of the God who really is there. Frequently reminding yourself of the Lord's abiding presence will eventually, if attempted diligently, become habitual and soon thereafter become natural.
—Robert Morgan in The Red Sea Rules
My Response: Today I'll take some breathers to check in with my Lord.
Thought to Apply: Profanity is the use of strong words by weak people.—WILLIAM A. WARD (college administrator)
Adapted from The Red Sea Rules (Nelson, 2001) by permission.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
March/April 2005, Vol. 8, No. 2
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Prayer for the Week |
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Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed. —Psalm 141:3
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