Actions and words...

I was reading from Psalm 141 this morning, and one such passage in verse 3 "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips". It is easier said than done! Take the 3 wise monkeys, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Of the three, speaking is the toughest for everyone, how much more so, for us as Christians! James Chapter 3 gives us explicit instructions on how tame the tongue, so we may be salt and Light to the world.

When correction comes, how do we deal with it? It is never a pleasant experience, and while it is difficult to see it as a gift of grace, of learning, we can view it as an opportunity to grow. Two biblical figures took two different actions; King Uzziah and the apostle Peter. Uzziah was an influential, good, and powerful king, but unlike David, he let his pride get the better of him and tried to take over a job only suitable to the priests.

In 2 Chronicles 26:18-21, King Uzziah is confronted by the courageous priests who warn him against committing this sin. Instead of taking heed of the rebuke, "...he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead" (v.20). And,"King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died." (v.21a). He lost everything he had in an instant, separated from the Lord and without honour.

Contrast Peter, who was corrected by the much younger Paul for his avoidance of meeting with the people who were not Jews in Antioch, when prior to this, Peter moved freely among them. While historic accounts place it in different time periods, this is found in Galatians 2:11-14. No response is written of Peter, but in 2 Peter 3:15 he refers to him as "dear brother Paul", hinting he did not take it to heart. Peter chose the right path.

Drawing from the Holy Spirit, good fellowship, and soaking in the word, helps us to gain the discipline when we fall, and to change our direction. After reflection, we can see where God shows the way. We are not meant to know it all, but understanding where we can improve only blesses us, others in our sphere, and God. And, when we look at our situation in this light, Psalm 141 makes a lot of good sense!