IronGuys Law Enforcement Ministries
"WORDS OF WISDOM"
By Police Chaplains
"Do Your Words and Actions Edify and Impart Grace?"
By
Doni Daudel
Chaplain, Beaumont (CA) Police Department
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
I’m an observer. I like to watch and listen to people. If and when we take to do this, we can learn about others. A great example is language. I hear people throw a multitude of “f-bombs” in a 3 second statement. For some, it’s as though they’ve forgotten how large the English language is. Another example is a persons overall attitude. Some people complain 95% of the time. Others are lazy, hurtful, hateful, conniving, antagonistic and unforgiving. You might think what I’ve just written is about people in general. I’m actually talking about those who profess to be Christians.
In 2Corinthians 5:17, Paul wrote these amazing words under the power and leading of the Holy Spirit: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new..” If a person truly repents, confesses their sin and receives Christ as Savior and Lord, a change in character will take place. For some it’s instant and radical. For others, like me, it’s been a slow yet progressive journey. This change requires a partnership; Christ and us. The Holy Spirit comes and dwells in a new believer. He brings truth, wisdom and conviction. Our part is to make God first, seek Him daily, read, study and apply His Word, and follow the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Submission, humility, faithfulness and obedience to Christ is needed for us to fulfill Gods command in Ephesians 4:29-32.
Every believer struggles. We are bombarded with physical, financial, emotional, mental and spiritual attacks daily. The world, our flesh and the devil are constantly trying to divert our attention, heart and mind from Christ to anything and everything but Christ. Selfishness, self-centeredness, pride, arrogance and narcissism are a constant battle with the flesh that’s like having a dead body strapped to our back. Our role is to cut it loose through prayer, study, meditation and the application of Gods Word. Renew your heart and mind to Christ daily. Pray without ceasing and ask God, through the power Holy Spirit, to lead, guide, convict and correct you, and faithfully follow Him. May our lives always bring glory to God and encourage others.