TAMING THE TONGUE | DAY 3

Bless, Don't Bite — Responding Without Retaliation

PART 1: STUDY

Key Passage- 1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT

 “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

Words of Wisdom- Proverbs 15:1 NIV

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Scripture Promise- 2 Corinthians 9:8 CSB

“And God is able  to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”

PART 2: DEVOTIONAL

Today's Key Passage teaches us how we are to respond when we have been wronged. God gives us clear instructions for how His children are to treat others: be of one mind, sympathize with one another, love each other as brothers and sisters, be tenderhearted, remain humble, do not repay evil for evil, and do not retaliate with insults when you are insulted. Instead, we are called to respond with blessing.

The passage goes on to tell us that if we desire to enjoy life and experience God's blessings, we must guard our tongue from speaking evil and our lips from telling lies. We are to turn away from evil, pursue what is good, seek peace, and work to maintain it. God promises that His eyes are on those who do right and that His ears are open to their prayers.

It quickly becomes apparent that everything this passage calls us to do hinges on our ability to tame the tongue. We cannot consistently respond with love, humility, tenderness, and blessing while allowing our mouths to be ruled by anger, bitterness, or retaliation. God calls us to reflect His character, and one of the clearest ways we do that is through the words we choose to speak.

Our Words of Wisdom reminds us that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." When we have been hurt, our flesh naturally wants to retaliate. It wants to defend itself, get even, or have the last word. But God's way is different. A gentle response has the power to calm a situation that harsh words would only inflame.

Our Scripture Promise reminds us that God's grace not only saves us, but also equips us to do the very things He has called us to do. Through His grace we are strengthened to respond with blessing instead of retaliation and to continue doing good, even when it is difficult.

When you've been wronged, what naturally comes out of your mouth? Blessing or retaliation? Gentleness or harshness? Your answer may reveal more about your heart than the offense itself.

Today, ask God to help you surrender your reactions to Him. Rather than allowing your flesh to retaliate, choose to respond with the grace, humility, and love that Christ has shown you.

PART 3: PRAYER

Lord Jesus thank you for your grace that is provided to me and helps me to do good. 

Father, help me to tame my tongue so that I can respond lovingly to others when they have wronged me. 

Help me to share kindness rather than harshness to turn their anger away and to free me from anger as well. 

Holy Spirit help me to exhibit love, humility and tenderheartedness to others as you have called me to do. 

Help me bless those who curse me that I may have happiness and enjoy the life that I have in You. 

Lord, guard my mouth from speaking evil and telling lies that you may be honored in all that I do. 

In Jesus mighty name, AMEN!