Imitating Jesus
Spiritual Disciplines for a New Life
Ecclesiastes 5:1-6The Message
God’s in Charge, Not You
5 Watch your step when you enter God’s house.
Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice,
Doing more harm than good.
Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice,
Doing more harm than good.
2 Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.
3 Overwork makes for restless sleep.
Overtalk shows you up as a fool.
Overtalk shows you up as a fool.
4-5 When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.
6 Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you.
When called to account, you won’t get by with
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?
For Reflection
When called to account, you won’t get by with
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?
For Reflection
"In the beginning was he word and the word was God."
How important are the words we use? Our words are sometimes the only reflection of God in us. Others see God in what we say. How well do you guard your words? How often do your words drive people apart rather than bring them closer together. How often do you use words to control others rather than to suggest alternatives? How well do your words preserve the other's right to choose? How often do your words suggest to others that God's grace and offer of reconciliation is conditional?
How important are the words we use? Our words are sometimes the only reflection of God in us. Others see God in what we say. How well do you guard your words? How often do your words drive people apart rather than bring them closer together. How often do you use words to control others rather than to suggest alternatives? How well do your words preserve the other's right to choose? How often do your words suggest to others that God's grace and offer of reconciliation is conditional?
Pray
that you will make the words you use consistent with the compassion and justice in God's call to you.
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