Do you ever find yourself saying something to a loved one that you regret – if not immediately, at least at some point? Maybe the words weren’t so hurtful as much as the tone they were said in, or the tone was sweet, but the words were harsh? James says the tongue is the hardest thing to control, and “Who can tame the tongue?” I am delighted to introduce my first-time guest, Pastor Steven Lee. He speaks openly and honestly about harsh words spoken to loved ones, and I know you will plug in to what Steven has to say. He will connect the dots between brussel sprouts and harsh words.
“Have you ever noticed that when you’re tempted to speak harshly, it’s often easiest to do so with those closest to you and those you love the most? It often seems easy to be rude to our spouses, parents, or children, though we love these people dearly. We share a sense of familiarity and closeness with them that allows more unfiltered or unmitigated speech. That can be a double-edged sword. We get to say what we want to say with less hesitation or without our “Minnesota Nice” tendencies getting in the way. But on the other hand, we can say what we really mean, and sometimes what comes out of our hearts isn’t so edifying, encouraging, or loving.”
“This week, I had to apologize to my wife and children for some impatient words involving how to cut brussel sprouts. Yes, I had a very particular desire for the brussel sprouts to be cut a certain way. Unsurprisingly, God uses some of the most meaningless things—like how to go about cutting vegetables—as an occasion to teach us that we have more growth, sanctification, and maturing needed in our lives.”
“So it is with our current events. For many of us, the past few months of stress and trial have unearthed our frustrated, impatient, or judgmental reactions to the situations or people around us. Yet it is an opportunity to remember Peter’s command in 1 Peter 1:22, “Love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” We are to show authentic, genuine, and eager love toward our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that stems from a pure heart. How and why can we do that? Because believers have been born again through the living and abiding word of God (1 Peter 1:23).”
“God’s word gets inside us, transforms us, and grows us so that we might bear much good fruit in loving each other within the body—especially as we get to know each other, grow in intimacy and familiarity, put aside our Minnesota Nice, and really engage and at times even disagree. Believers get to love one another earnestly because we have been loved profoundly by God through the cross of Christ. I look forward to restarting our 1 Peter series this Sunday.”
Steven Lee is lead pastor at our north campus church. Previously, Steven served for five years at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, as the Pastor of Small Groups & Community Outreach. He has also worked with Global Outreach. Steven is married to Stephanie and they have five children. You can hear Pastor Steven live stream Sundays at 9:00 am at https://bethlehem.church/live-content-north/