Good morning and a most blessed Thursday to you.

In our time together this morning I want to address how we engage with others. When I listen to what's going on in the world around us, there is this undercurrent of animosity and anger. I see it coming out in the way that people talk with one another, whether it is a complete stranger, a family member, or a friend. Relationships are being damaged, and potential relationships damaged. It's not okay. It's not healthy.

Let’s turn to God's Word for guidance and wisdom.

Ephesians 4:26-27  

Be angry but do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. 

I think that last verse is very interesting. Paul is not saying that you won't ever be angry, or you cannot be angry.  He’s saying that in your anger do not let that open the door for the devil.  Do not sit in that anger. Do not engage people through that lense of anger. 

Now skipping down to Ephesians 4:29.

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Thinking about how that anger is expressed, and how we so often sit in that anger It really comes down to the words that we use, and the tone that we use.  How we engage verbally with others can open the door for the devil.  And we don't want to do that. The words we choose to speak matter.  Are we using words that build up or tear down?  The words we speak are supposed to give grace to those who hear.  

When I'm having a conversation with someone, especially at a public forum; whether it is at the mall, at church, in an office building, in my home, or on social media, the words that I'm using are not just for those I'm directing those words towards, but everyone around can hear them as well.  Or on social media, people can read them as well.   So we want to use words which build up, that give grace… words that highlight the mercy and the love that Christ has for us.

So again, if you become angry, don't let that anger open a door for the devil. Don't let evil words come from our mouth in the presence of others.  Those words are not going to build others up.  If we have a problem, or a disagreement… that's okay. That's what living life simultaneously as saints and sinners is like.  If we have a disagreement, or become angry, we certainly can bring that person with whom we disagree into a private conversation. 

Ephesians 4:31 

Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you

We are to engage others, always putting the best construction on a situation; not putting on rose colored glasses to ignore a situation. But we are to lean into every engagement with grace and mercy, knowing that there is another side to every story.  Ultimately, our story begins, continues, and ends in God’s mercy through the forgiveness for us in Christ.  He continues to show us grace and mercy. 

We are called to bring grace and mercy as we engage with others.  I pray that as you go forward in the rest of your week, and you engage with others whether, in person or online, that you will heed these words Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit... that evil words would not be the first words we choose, but that instead we would lead with tenderness, kindness, mercy and grace; giving no room to the devil.

Let’s begin our prayer now, with Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;

    keep watch over the door of my lips.

We thank you Lord, that through your Spirit you give us His fruit of self-control, love, peace and gentleness.  We ask that you would continue to nurture and sustain us in all of the fruit of the Spirit; that we would turn to others not with malice, bitterness or anger, but that we would first turn with tenderness, kindness, and gentleness.  When we feel anger rising within us, let us not lead with that anger.  Let us lead with your mercy first. Lord, We thank you that you have given us your Word. Your Word is truth.  Keep your Word in our minds, in our hearts, and on our lips.  Help us to react in every situation with word of your mercy and your grace, as we engage with others. Protect us today. Protect those around us and continue to lead us in your love.   We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have an incredible rest of your week. Go forth in love to serve the Lord, and others. God bless!  See you this Sunday at worship.

Pastor Malinak