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Clanging Symbols

Keep Watch On Yourself, Lest You Too Be Tempted

Tasia Harris

Sep 02, 2016

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Patheos

1 Corinthians 13English Standard Version (ESV): If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,but have not love, I gain nothing.

I was just on Instagram looking at different post and I came across the post of a Christian account. It was pretty much talking about how as followers of Christ, we are supposed to be careful of what we entertain, especially if it's not glorifying God. I completely agree. But the way that it was worded, I couldn't quite tell if they were talking about all media and music, or just secular stuff, so I scrolled through the comments to see if they clarified what they were saying, which they did.

On top of clarity, I couldn't help but notice some of the stuff that my sisters in Christ were saying. They were literally condemning some people and slaying folks that didn't understand, or agree with the wording of the post. And that is what I had an issue with.

I used to be one of those people that would be quick to try to correct and condemn others when I seen that they were doing stuff that didn't line up with God. It came from pride. I felt that since I knew the truth and what God's Word said I could throw it at people. And that is absolutely wrong...

We are encouraged as believers to speak the truth, no doubt about that. We must also be mindful to not do it in a self righteous way as if we're better than people.

Ephesians 4:15ESV: Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

I don't think it's strange that we are encouraged to speak the truth in love...After all the two great commandments that Jesus instructed us to keep is acted in love. (Matthew 22:37-40 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the great and first commandment.And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”) I believe the purpose of us speaking in love is so that people may experience Jesus Christ through us. I believe that the seeds planted from speaking in love will give Jesus that leeway that He needs to open up that persons heart to Him. It provokes a gentleness that corrects more than us trying to condemn people and force the Bible down their throats. I've been on the opposite end and have felt attacked before by someone I looked up to in Christ (over a nose ring LOL), and it hurt me to the core. It made my heart hardened towards them and it made me want to rebel as a defense. Proverbs 18:19 says that an offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city. I was already in a tough place in my walk with Christ, and then being attacked on social media in front of everybody y'all... that just pushed me away further. It was literally God and His love and correction that drew me back into His arms.

We were not always where we are in Christ...and even if you may be more spiritually mature than others, we are all still being kept and will always be kept by His Grace.
The Gospel is going to be offensive to some people, but as long as it's spoken in love, I do believe that God will handle the rest. We know when we just want to correct someone out of pride, and not out of having a love for them and wanting to see them experience Christ...and that is what I believe it means to speak in love. Wanting to desperately see people free from the bondage of sin and experiencing the love of Jesus, and not just to show that you have biblical knowledge, or that you have it all together.It's not our job to condemn anyone, for there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We are simply to speak the Word, and that's it.

There will be cases in which you speak in love, in gentleness, and all that good stuff and people will still have an issue with that. Keep speaking scripture and pray for that person. Their heart may be damaged due to past things and that is completely out of your control. Just do your part by praying for them, encouraging them with truth and love, and I guarantee you that God will work that out. He doesn't need us to dress up His Word with anything. His Word is powerful on its own. We just need to speak it and let it do what it's came to do...set people free.

We all are sinners who are in desperate need of Christ. I have accepted Christ into my heart as Lord, and I still need Him just like I did when I first received salvation. So, I can not come at someone sideways like I have it all together...because I don't. And because of that I try to make it intentional to speak the truth in love and with gentleness so that people may be open to receiving Christ. Because at any moment, I can fall into the same sin that they struggle with.

Galatians 6:1: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

After all, I ain't tryna be a clanging symbol...LOL...they're annoying!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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