Quiet!

Be still & listen

In light of all the clamor re:  the recent, tragic school shooting in FL, plus all the gun control chatter from both sides of the spectrum, a recent devotion from Martin Luther Psalm by Psalm (CPH), 2017, really caught my attention. The title of the devotion was "Be Not Wise in Your Own Conceits," & I am continuing to share meditations based on Luther's insights re:  the Psalms.

God's Word Is Truth

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, 'With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is mater over us?'"  Psalm 12:3-4

Martin Luther's words

"You must never be so learned that you should not always be ready to hear also the opinion of others, even if you have spoken the truth, but especially when you have spoken doubtful things. From this arise heresies & strife, & in their midst even the truth itself is lost, since truth is not contentious."

My meditation

Nothing gets me riled up faster that arguments re:  politics & theology. Why? Because my pride tells me that I'm right, the other side is wrong, & it's my responsibility to pontificate. This devotion rightfully asks us--no, TELLS us that we should "always be ready to hear also the opinion of others, even if you have spoken the truth." Today's scripture, along w/Dr. Luther's commentary, remind me:

• We ARE called upon to stand by the truth, but it must be truth grounded in Scripture, because Jesus Christ is grounded in the Living Word.
• "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 [When Moses asked the Lord whose name he should use when addressing God's people, God's answer was, "Tell them 'I am' has sent me."]
• Not only is it necessary to be quiet & listen to the thoughts & feelings of others because it's the right thing to do, it's also the right thing to do, because we may actually learn from the other person.
• We also behave in a more winsome way when we listen quietly to others.
• Our goal should never be to win arguments, especially not to resort to personal attacks.
• Our goal should be to build relationships.
• It's possible to nurture relationships even with those with whom we don't agree.

Being grounded in Scripture is the best solution for determining the truth. John 14:6 speaks of the one holy & absolute truth. One last verse to consider:  "(God) says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10)

And one last insight, as it were. When our arguments push people away, we are hardly exalting the Lord. And, just so you know, that's an insight meant for me, too.