But for the grace of God

I like to think that I’m funny. And I really like it when my wife laughs at my jokes. Tonight a couple of my comments at home took a sarcastic, mocking turn for the worse. Although it was in private, and I’m confident no one else will ever hear the words I spoke, I’m still convicted that it was sinful for two reasons. First, because what I say comes from the overflow of my heart. Thus I must be holding evil in my heart at some level to ridicule the person as I did. Also because this person is a child of God. If I overheard someone making fun of one of my children, I would definitely be upset. How angry God must be at me for making fun of His child!

Heavenly Father, please forgive me. I am wicked and deceitful. Please forgive me for saying ridiculing things towards one of your children tonight. Please enable me by the power of Your Spirit to overcome the temptation to speak evil. Please clean me from the inside out. In Jesus name, amen.

It’s fun to get together with other parents that have small children and talk about your kids. There’s so many adorable things to share and listen to. But I’ve fallen into a trap. More than once, I’ve gone too far and have been too loose with my tongue. Tonight I was joking, but made a reference about the lack of intelligence of one of my children. This was in front of other parents, my kids, and their kids. First of all, it was not honoring or respectful. I’ve dedicated my child to the Lord so in my mind He is the Lord’s child as well. This is a huge sin to make fun of a child of the King. Secondarily, I don’t know how much he could understand at one year old, but if I let this carry on, one day he will understand. As the proverb says, death and life are in the power of the tongue… (18:21). I want to impart life via my words to my children not death.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for dishonoring your child and your gift. Please place a deep conviction on my heart of my sin and remind me to guard my tongue when speaking about others. In Jesus holy name, amen.