I'm sure you're all wondering, "How on Earth does writing in the dirt have anything to do with the Bible?" Well, in John 8:1-11 it says, "(1)but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. (2)Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. (3)The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst (4)they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. (5)Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?' (6)This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. (7)And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' (8)And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. (9)But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. (10)Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, (11)'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"
Sometimes, the best thing we can do, is stop, and think. One of the hardest things about being a girl, is your speech. Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Sometimes, I'll be talking to someone, and they're being a little rude, and all I want to do is to say something right back. And it's all I can do not to. James 3:5, "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!" One of the easiest things to do, is to just let your mouth run. James 3:2-6, "(2)For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (3)If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. (4)Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (5)So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! (6)And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."
If we can tame our tongues, then we can pretty much do everything else with ease. Sometimes, the best thing to do, is to stop, take a deep breath, and think about what you're about to say. The hardest, but the best thing you can do, is to have patience, and to "write in the dirt", before you speak. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard. I always try to keep Proverbs 15:1 in my head before I say something because that is probably the best advise you're ever going to hear.
Thank you for reading, and please remember, "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"
