Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Noise is something that is common in a large city. Around the clock, there are sounds constantly being heard. Horns being blown, brakes being squealed, sirens blaring, car engines roaring, and many more sounds. The level of noise can drive people crazy. Often it is meaningless sound to the ones hearing it. Those who live in the city their whole lives are usually able to tune the senseless noise out.
Paul begins to describe what is the most important gift in the life of the believer. He says that if he could speak in the best languages, but not have any love, then all he would be is a noisy, banging sound.
There are some people who love to talk. They can talk nonstop for hours and hours and just keep on going and going. While they have some things of value to say, often it just becomes a lot of rambling, just to talk.
Some have learned to speak very well. They have learned multiple languages or have taken speaking classes to where they can speak very eloquently. As they speak, they sound good, but there is no love or care behind their words. The final result is that people often just tune them out and ignore what is being said.
Actions like this can occur towards believers who may be speaking truth. God’s truth is being said but done without any love or compassion for the lost and dying. It is all about numbers or self-pride.
God’s true love should be the motivator behind all words being spoken. Love for the fellow person in every word so that one will be heard and not just another banging noise in a noisy world.
Walking around a city, you will hear many sounds that are just noisy and worthless to you. You will also hear many people talking with words that have nothing to do with you. One thing you don’t want is to add to that senseless noise.
You have a message that the world needs to hear. In order for you to be heard, you must speak those words with God’s love and compassion for others. Allow God’s love to flow through you in what you say. Don’t be just another noisy noise in a noisy world.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as Lord and Savior; that you will know the message God has for you to speak; that you will be filled with God’s love for those around you; that you will speak with God’s love in your words; and that others will hear God’s love in what you say.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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