If our words point to our hearts, it only feels fitting to double down on practicing forgiveness. Thankfully, God’s kind of forgiveness doesn’t weigh whether it’s deserved, or if it’s been earned, or whether the same hurt will happen again. Instead, He lavishes us with forgiveness because of what Christ has already done for us. Maintaining a distant, hard heart toward someone sets us up for failure in this area. From experience, that heart posture is always scanning for opportunities to overshare, build a team, or taint someone else’s reputation.
Being tender-hearted toward someone requires that we choose to remove the scales around our hearts through forgiveness — even when we have been the ones gossiped about. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean the circumstances have changed or that they will change, or that what broke the trust in the first place is now acceptable. It means we can trust God with it, not hold onto our pain, and not try to enact justice on our own. Refusing to forgive blinds and restrains us in all areas of our lives. Instead, choosing to forgive sets us free and builds our trust with God. As we do so, we also get a reset in how we view our relationships.
On the other hand, instead of accusations, division, and tainted reputations, we can build up, encourage, and give dignity to others. Are there truthful words that you could share this week that would strengthen a relationship and/or give dignity to someone? Not only can God help us hold back our words, but He can give us words for others that would not only encourage someone individually, but also build up the church and our community. How could God want to use you this week?