Devotions from Jan Johnson’s book, Invitation to the Jesus Life
Luke 6:45 “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Are we often surprised at what comes out of our mouth that seems to have bubbled up from nowhere? But the mouth can respond only according to what has been cultivated in our hearts…the thoughts, feelings and intentions. Spur of the moment anger comes from the reservoir within us of contempt. Contempt is studied anger that shows itself in sarcasm, name-calling, forceful speech, cynicism, playing the victim etc. You get the picture. Though we may not speak it, it shows through our facial expressions, gestures and tone.
Contempt was not in Jesus because He trusted God and lived within that life of God. He spoke the truth in love without contempt.
Speaking the truth without love does more harm than good because people tune us out.
To speak the truth without contempt means that I show respect for people. Contempt-free truth is spoken without moral superiority or exaggerated opinions about ourselves, without boasting or presuming to know the entire situation.
God’s truth can be spoken with discernment but never in condemnation. That takes thought, prayer and practice.
“Cultivating a heart that trusts God with people we might otherwise have contempt for transforms the soul.
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