A Lenten challenge:
Be holy in thought and word
Be holy in thought and word
It was hard not to laugh when our kids first learned how to insult each other. As their vocabulary and verbal creativity developed, suddenly some silly and random stuff came out of their mouths to win an argument or emotionally poke their sibling. In those moments “Dad” face is required, because although it’s difficult not to laugh, we know it’s vitally important for kids to learn to control their speech, speak good instead of ill and build up instead of tear down.
It was hard not to laugh when our kids first learned how to insult each other. As their vocabulary and verbal creativity developed, suddenly some silly and random stuff came out of their mouths to win an argument or emotionally poke their sibling. In those moments “Dad” face is required, because although it’s difficult not to laugh, we know it’s vitally important for kids to learn to control their speech, speak good instead of ill and build up instead of tear down.
The thoughts we choose to entertain and the words we speak carry tremendous power, and can reveal both the progress we’ve made toward deeper holiness and the areas that still need work. With this in mind as we journey through this Lenten season, what would we look and sound like if we gave up negative thoughts and hurtful language (for good)? Instead of allowing those unholy instincts to fester and unkind language to emerge, we could consciously discipline our minds and master our tongues as we prepare for Easter.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reveals a deep and important truth: “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person.” (15:18-20) St. Paul puts it this way in Colossians, “But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self.” (3:8-10)
Often when we first surrender to the Lord and give him our lives, we experience dramatic changes in our thoughts, words and behaviors as we eagerly strive to live the new life we’ve received. However, we can become complacent and instead of allowing the Lord to root out the “old self,” we harbor in our hearts areas where our sinful desires continue to strongly influence our interior lives.
Lent is an invitation to turn fully to the Lord, give him our whole hearts and go to war (fasting) against anything that is not of him. What we think about and how we communicate are not inconsequential, but part of God’s loving plan for our transformation in him and our ability to bless and love those around us. So in these next few weeks, consider giving up those negative thoughts and hurtful words, because God, always a good and patient Father, wants to teach and empower us to think and speak like him.
Pete Burak is the director of i.d.9:16, the young adult outreach of Renewal Ministries. He has a master’s degree in theology and is a frequent speaker on evangelization and discipleship.
