05
Subtleties of Slanders and Slurs
Rod ShimabukuroPsalm 15:1Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 2The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
In connection with my readings in Exodus and the construction of the tabernacle of God, who can dwell in His sacred tent? In others words, who is good, holy or pure enough to live with God? And here the Psalmist gives practical ways one can dwell with God. While no one is ever “clean or pure” enough to be accepted by God, at least on their own merits - we are given guidelines to live by to dwell with God. And David the Psalmist says - if we do these things we shall never be shaken!
Well - I’m not even close to living the life described in Psalm 15. But yes - by Jesus gracious love, forgiveness, acceptance of me, I am abiding in God, through Jesus! (John 15).
One area that stands out in this Psalm is my desire to be a man of God who “speaks truth from my heart, whose tongue utters no slander.” Watch your mouth - watch you heart Rod! For the truth is that I can tend to utter subtle slander under the guise of helping others improve their leadership, being a good critical thinker/leader, etc.
It’s too easy to mask the subtleties of slanders and slurs - by “helping others be better Christians, leaders.” On the other hand, people smell the stink of self exaltation and the “me syndrome.” Yuk - that’s smelly stuff!
Daddie God! Again and again - You are amazing! I so love Your conviction alive in my heart, digging deeper in my soul - to find the tiniest cavities that hurt my heart and others too. Thank you for Your lovingkindness and strength that fills me to always put off the “old stinky flesh” and out on the new man in Jesus! You are incredibly sovereign and great! Love you Dad!
