What Kind of Spreader?

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you… You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also… The word of God is not bound!…

“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene…

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful.., ready for every good work.

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2,9b,14-17a,21-25

Health and life, or gangrene? Paul knew the potency of words to effect harm, having spent his earlier years voicing murderous threats and condemnation against God’s children. He knew the destructive nature of a message and the suffering it could cause. He also knew the transforming power of the gospel proclaimed and received. He urged Timothy to be a spreader of God’s good news and so effectuate holy living and the salvation of many. (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 26:10; Romans 1:16)

The mouth is a powerful instrument, a vessel worthy of great influence as it spreads not only words but all their residue. The bearer determines whether that is to be for good or evil, saving or destroying, upbuilding or tearing down. The loftier our thinking, the more steeped we are in the word, the sweeter and richer will be our conversation and living. Rightly handling the truth entrusted to us honors the Lord and opens the way for His Spirit to bear much fruit. (James 3:2-10)

As consumers of words, we choose what we pay attention to, value, and emulate. The more we expose ourselves to coarse entertainment and indulge in cattiness and controversy, the more we’ll imitate those unholy examples.

How seriously do we take our responsibility for the words we take in and spread? How careful are we to filter out falsehoods and reject detrimental messages, thus guarding against their resulting discouragement and bad attitudes? How hungrily do we ingest God’s truth and readily put it into practice as an example to those around us?

Lord, keep me on Your straight and narrow that I might spread Your grace, love, truth, and light wherever I go and whatever I say, to Your glory.