Bitter and Sweet

“No good water comes from a muddy stream, no sweet fruit comes from a bitter seed! “
( Jose Rizal)

“Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?” (James 3:11)

James tells us...“And let the Word of Christ dwell in you, with all wisdom teaching, admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” So your speech is dramatically affected by your new nature, by your transformation. The new man in Christ has a new mouth, has a new tongue, a new speech.

Christians talk differently than other people talk (or should), not perfect, but certainly different. Listen to what the apostle Paul said in Colossians, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” If we’re truly new in Christ, we will have a pure speech. "Now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, spitefulness, and abusive language from your mouth.” Put them all away; they have no place in the life of a believer...“since you have laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created him.”

The tongue contradicts itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to give all praise to Him; and at another time condemns his brother or sister. God help us!

Bitter and sweet, how can that be…..glorify God today and tomorrow gossip about me!