Proverbs 10:11-12 

¹¹The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. ¹²Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Maintenance

When you are more than 50 years old, one realistic question that is not readily appreciated is, “Are you taking maintenance medication?” How do you react when someone ask you if you are taking maintenance medication? Do you feel comfortable to let others know that you are taking maintenance medication?

It is common for older people to have hypertension or diabetes. It is rare for older people not to have maintenance medication.  Any kind of medication may imply that something is not perfect. How about food supplement pills, are they considered maintenance medication? Sometimes, using another term with the similar meaning may lessen the impact of feeling uncomfortable.

If the question, “Are you taking maintenance medication,” is uncomfortable to others, should we rephrase that question to lessen its impact? How about if we ask, “How’s your health? Or, how do you take care of your health?”

Have you experienced it? Patients who suffer from particular illness can be sensitive. When the topic is about their health, it may irritate them. Would it help them feel valued and respected, if we indirectly ask about their health? Christ had warned it in Matthew 12:34, ³⁴For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 

We’ve to be mindful of our language when we speak to patients? When we speak, we should be concerned if others feel valued or not. As Christians, what we say and what we do should speak of our belief. We can choose nice words. How?  When inspired by the Holy Spirit, we don’t need to pretend or conceal anything.

1.  Conceal

¹¹The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Nobody is righteous, but by faith in Jesus Christ we become righteous in the sight of God. Do you sincerely believe such mystery? If by faith we are righteous, why is it that people still complain about our behavior? We should personally check if we are actively dependent on the Holy Spirit. Do I have fruit of the Holy Spirit in me? If there are still complaints how we behave, what does it imply?

If there’s no apparent manifestation of the Holy Spirit, behavior could have originated from sinful nature. How can we rely upon the Lord all the time?

We are instructed to pray continually, even prayer to depend on the Lord always.

When Christ is active in our heart and mind, do we speak pleasant words nicely?

Interestingly, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, others will still be confused or irritated. How could others be frustrated when we actively rely upon the Lord?

Stephen

Trivia: Who’s the first Christian martyr recorded in the Scripture? Stephen! Stephen was one of the original deacons in the Jerusalem Church. He was a man full of the Spirit. It says in Acts 6:15, ¹⁵All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Oppositions stirred up the people, and the elders and the teachers of the law seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Stephen told them that they murdered Jesus Christ the Righteous one. It narrated in Acts 7:54-58:

⁵⁴When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. 

Stephen full of the Holy Spirit irritated those who listened to what he said. Why were they furious? When believers speak of the truth, non-religious people cannot appreciate. But should we conceal the truth just to be acceptable before others? Should we choose nice language to avoid others get angry against us?

We’ve got to be prayerful and also concerned of what we say or how we phrase our statements. The Holy Spirit himself will give us wisdom how we speak. Even if we try to be civil, diplomatic and courteous, the oppositions will still find anything that they may charge us with or accuse us of. It may not be favorable in the long run. But if inspired by the Holy Spirit, love covers over blunders or faults.

2.  Cover

¹²Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

It is very ideal to be at peace with everyone. Yet, not everyone has similar mindset for peace. You may have observed it when you see others complain even when you try to abide by the law. You carefully drive but others are still upset.

The traffic law advises that motorists should stop at least 3 second at stop signs. You want to be abiding citizen; you follow the traffic law of stopping at least 3 seconds at stop signs. Yet, other drivers will blow their horns. But if you don’t stop for at least 3 seconds, traffic enforcers will issue you traffic violation tickets.

Have you ever felt violated of your right when other motorists don’t follow traffic rules and regulation? Behavior in driving can practically reveal the true nature of the heart. If love prevails in our heart, can we ignore impolite drivers?

Many believers would ask, “As to what extent should we accommodate bad behaviors of others.” What should we do when we know that others are taking advantage of our generosity or kindness? Is it advisable to just keep quiet?

How should we show love when others make mistakes or wrongdoings?

Is it guaranteed that others will appreciate if we tell them their mistakes?

Christ instructed in Matthew 10:16-20, ¹⁶I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

You may have already observed on social media. Many articles contradict our Christian belief. Were you tempted to write comments to reform those mistakes? If you’ve tried it, someone may have refuted what you have written.

If they declare that they believe Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it does not practically prove that they practice Christian faith in biblical manner. Everyone has different level of spirituality. You may have deeper understanding of the Scripture but they may not get or not understand deeper doctrines, just yet.

Nevertheless, if we are inspired by the Holy Spirit, we sense love for others. We can have peace and praise the Lord even if results are not what we expected. We have to be always aware of our faith in Christ and be mindful of what we say. Let Jesus Christ use even our language to testify of his love and grace for us.

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