humbly come to confess your way wardness before the Lord? Have you lost the joy of your salvation? if a person is a Spirit-controlled Christian he has control over his tongue. Everybody wants his own way clamoring for this and that. God says, "Let it all be put away." Let us make a clean break of it. In vrs. 32, we are urged to show kindness to each other. My, we need a whole lot of that do we not? Is it not tragic? Old fashion kindness is a forgotten commod ity. Just recently I got a letter from a very dear friend. He had hoped to visit me while I was speaking at a Bible conference. At the last min ute there had to be a change in plans and he could not make it. He wrote a letter and enclosed a check for $100.00. He added, "This is just a little love gift for you; have a good time." That is kind ness! Scripture is not calling for mere sentimentalism but for ten derheartedness. Do we know how to weep with those who weep? Can we rejoice with those who re joice? I see so much malice and bit terness these days. People going around with this cancer in their hearts. We are told to forgive one another, even as Cod for Christ's sake has forgiven us. Do you grieve the Holy Spirit? Do you lack this wonderful sweet peace in your heart? Are you really a happy Christian? It is great to be in love with Jesus Christ, and to have the joy of the Lord bubbling out of your heart. If this is not your experience, come and confess your sin to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit take control again. Scripture warns every believer against quenching the Holy Spirit. Page 23
How many there are who steal from the government by cheating on their income tax. No wonder so many lives are powerless and lack joy. The Lord is not telling us that we are to work just to get a lot of money for ourselves. The purpose is according to these words that we may be able to help others. How many people do you know who have that concept and phil osophy of living? Next the suggestion is that we are to “ Let no corrupt communica tion proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (vrs. 29). It is so easy to be critical and to say unkind things about others. If you do not have something good to say, do not even open your mouth. Gossiping will leave a bit ter taste in your mouth. Watch yourself on the profane language and so-called slang ex pressions. A man who is a Spirit- filled Christian will be careful. Do not go around using minced oaths. That is the same as cursing. Be careful of your speech. Whatever you utter, does it build up, encour age and strengthen others? If it does not, you may be grieving the Holy Spirit. It is sad to hear so many Christians criticizing each other. Why do we fight one anoth er? (James 4:1-3). Bitterness is to be gotten out of our hearts. What does it really matter what someone else did to you? Why ruin yourself because of another's sin? To grieve the Holy Spirit you will lose the joy. When David had sinned against God, he had to cry out in the agony of his own soul, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salavtion!" Have you
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