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4 Things I Cannot Hide

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4 Things I Cannot Hide: A Personal Reflection

As I navigate life’s winding paths, I often try to present my best self to the world, hoping to mask my flaws. Yet, there are four things I cannot hide: my speech, my assumptions about others, how I let trouble affect me, and my perseverance despite obstacles. These aspects of my character slip through the cracks of my carefully curated facade, revealing my true heart. Through the lens of Scripture, I see both my shortcomings and the path to transformation, as God’s Word guides me to align these areas with His truth.

1. My Speech: The Way I Talk to Others
My words betray my heart. Whether I speak with kindness, impatience, or cutting sarcasm, my tone and intent are laid bare for others to see. I cannot hide the impact of my speech, it lingers, shaping how others perceive me. A harsh word can wound, while a gentle one can heal. Proverbs 15:1 offers wisdom: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” When I choose words that uplift and encourage, I reflect God’s will for my life on how to interact with others. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph 4:29; see Col 4:6) O God, forgive me.

2. My Assumptions: Judging Without Knowing
I often catch myself forming quick judgments about others based on their appearance or actions. Someone comically said, “I can tell a judgmental person just by looking at them.” These assumptions (especially in impugning motives) creep out through my body language, a fleeting glance, a hesitant tone, or an unconscious step back. My biases betray me, revealing a heart prone to prejudging. James 2:1-4 (KJV) challenges me: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons… Have ye not then been partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” By seeking to understand others, I strive to embody humility, countering my tendency to assume. (see Matt 7:1-6 Judge not…) O God, forgive me.

3. The Way I Let Trouble Bother Me
When trials come, my response reveals the depth of my faith. Too often, I grumble or slip into pessimism, broadcasting a lack of trust in God. My complaints expose a heart struggling to hold onto hope. Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) offers a better way: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” By turning to prayer and gratitude, I can display hope, letting God’s peace shine through my troubles. “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” (Phil 2:14-15) O God, Forgive me.

4. The Way I Keep On Despite Obstacles
My perseverance (or lack thereof) reveals my resilience (or lack thereof). Do I press forward when others criticize, when obstacles loom, or when doubts creep in? My response is visible to all. Galatians 6:9 (KJV) encourages me: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” This verse urges me to keep going, trusting God, no matter what stands in my way. My steadfastness displays my Hope in God. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:” (Heb 10:36) O God, Forgive me.

The Problem Exemplified
When I fail to guard these areas, my flaws are exposed. Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) warns, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” My unguarded words can spark conflict, reflecting a broader truth: when my speech, assumptions, complaints, or lack of perseverance go unchecked, I invite calamity. This verse humbles me, reminding me of the consequences of letting my heart run unrestrained.

Transforming My Life
Though I cannot hide these four aspects of myself, I can, by God’s grace, refine them to reflect His character. Proverbs 15:1 teaches me to speak with gentleness. James 2:1-4 calls me to love without prejudice. Philippians 4:6-7 guides me to replace complaints with hope. Galatians 6:9 strengthens me to persevere. Together, these scriptures shape me to live in a better way, letting my words, actions, and attitudes shine as a testimony to the transformative power of God’s word. In a world that sees what I cannot hide, I pray my life reflects Christ.

Agape,

Spencer

7 Plagues of the mind pt3. GRUMBLING

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Do all things without MURMURINGS and ARGUING:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

(Phil 2:14-15)

The fourth plague of the mind is complaining, or what the bible calls murmuring. I like to call it grumbling, because much of it sounds like we’re growling like hungry dogs.

Generally speaking, God hates it.

“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.” (Num 14:27)?

However, before we go running off to condemn everyone that ever has a complaint, let’s make sure we know what we’re talking about.

Some complaints are warranted, and not condemned by God. “Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration” (Acts 6:1).

Here is an example of a “murmur” that was justified and a remedy was sought for the complaint.

There are some complaints that are warranted and should be expressed. Complaints about a health issue needs to be taken up with our doctors. However, when we complain about our health to every stranger, it becomes less about health and more about attention.

The children of Israel had several complaints in the books of Exodus and Numbers after leaving Egypt. Some of the notable complaints include:

These complaints often led to God’s interventions, and sometimes punishments as part of their journey in the wilderness. You’ll notice that they had 3 main categories of complaint that continue to all generations (Food, Conditions, and Leadership). What was the difference between a complaint that was answered and a complaint that invoked God’s wrath?

The main difference is when they were complaining about the blessing, and having no gratitude toward God for His provisions. Note just one example, the complaint about food. At the beginning of their journey, they had no food so they complained and received food (Ex 16:3). Later, they continued to complain about food, but not that it was lacking, but that they were tired of the Miracle Manna from Heaven. “but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look upon” (Num 11).

Even so, constant grumbling and complaining is frowned upon by God for at least another reason. It makes the Christian appear hopeless. Paul looked at the pains of life this way, “Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2Cor 4:16-18; cf. 2Cor 12:7-10; 1Pet 3:14-16).

What can we do when we feel that urge to complain. First, when faced with the THORNS of life, complain with Grace by being thankful for the good. We can show our gratitude by thinking about what is right amidst all that is wrong. “in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward” (1Thess 5:18).

We can be helpful in the area of complaints about Leadership. Instead of fault finding, we can solution seeking. We can Pray, and we can Participate. Be Helpful instead of Hurtful. “that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17).

When life appears unfair, instead of lamenting what’s wrong, let’s seek out Opportunities to serve our fellow man. When we are left out, go and include someone else in your plans instead of stewing in complaint. “Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts” (Jas 2:1-4)?

We can also Rejoice, like Paul, knowing that pain produces patience and glorifies God in our continuing hope of His return (2Cor 12:10; Jas 1:2-4).

Never complain to someone who can’t fix it or isn’t responsible for our problem. Much damage has been done against one person when we complain about them to another (James 3:10-15). That’s not to say we can’t share with each other about our pains (James 5:13), but let us be careful about hopeless complaining.

Finally, Seek Solutions that Serve. We can all serve in some manner, whether it be encouraging, ministering, giving, teaching, mercy, or cheerfulness (Romans 12). If there is nothing anyone can do, give it to God, and look forward to His return.

Agape,

Spencer

Based on a series “the 7 PLAGUES of the mind / heart”

No CORRUPT communication

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Last week we looked at how we are to walk, today we’ll look at how we TALK.

A quick reading of James 3 is an eye opener to the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue. There it’s called a, “fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (Jas 3:6)

Even under ideal conditions, it’s often difficult to communicate.

This is serious business. Not only is it difficult to find the right thing to say, it’s equally difficult to say it the right way.

Paul gives some instruction about our communication in Ephesians 4:29.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Three things are Immediately seen. 1) no corrupt speech, 2) rather, edifying speech, and 3) speech that may minister grace to the hearer. The last 2 are somewhat easy; we are to speak those things that will teach (edify) and those things that are a blessing, or helpful (grace). But what is corrupt communication? Not surprisingly, the scripture has a lot to say about what we say.

Firstly, we ought to be careful about COMPLAINING. “Do all things without murmurings and questionings:” (Phil 2:14-15) We’re not discussing the type of communication that tries to right wrongs. We are talking about complaining that is sinful. The OT shows us what happens when we complain against God (Num 11:1). Complaining to people that cannot improve a condition is ungodly and borders on gossip. Rather, we should communicate to others our CONTENTMENT. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” (Phil 4:11).

A second type of corrupt communication is OVER TALKING. “In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.” (Prov 10:19). Instead, we ought to be ORDERLY & SLOW to speak. “But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (Jas. 1:19 cf. 1:26

We all know the warnings about REPEATING & RECEIVING Gossip. (Prov 20:19; 11:13; 2Cor. 12:20; 1Tim 5:13) Instead of repeating gossip, how about we REPORT good things about our brethren. Look at chapter 16 of Romans for a list where Paul is giving a good REPORT of some fine men & women.

Then there’s the warning from Christ. “Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.” (Matt 5:22) “RACA” is a form of contempt toward another. Literally it means, “o empty one; thou worthless.”  Instead, we should say words that have REGARD for the other person; esteeming them better than self (Phil 2:3).

Then there are words that are UNLOVING and divisive. (Job 19:19; Rom 1:31; 2Tim 3:3). Instead, we ought to seek words of UNITY (Eph 4:13). Not unity in tolerance of sin, but “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:3)

Looking again at James, we see there are words that are POISONOUS. “It (the tongue) is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (3:8). Instead, we can be PLEASING in speech & PROVOKE to love. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Heb 10:24; Prov 15:26; 16:24)

Lastly, there are words that is TALKING FOOLISHLY. These are crude humor and indecent language. Paul instructs us to replace these with words of THANKS. “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Eph 5:4)

This article was very thought provoking for me. It’s very easy to get caught up in using the words of our culture, on our TV’s and in the workplace. I’m unable to speak for you, but for me, CORRUPT communication is very much the norm among those in the world and it’s so easy to be influenced by it. I’ll strive to do better so that my words do not give occasion to the enemies of God to blaspheme.

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— spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas. If you live in the Borger area and would like a personal bible study, please reach out & let us know how we can help you know more of God’s word.

Don’t worry be Happy

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We like to complain, “It’s hot, It’s cold. I’m too fat, I’m too short. I’m too old”…. yackk yackk yakk! We need more cheese in this world, with all the whine that’s going around. We whine (make excuses) about everything. Weather, ourselves, each other. Get over it!

GOD MAKES GOOD THINGS
Complaining about life is an insult to God and to His creation.

Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Ge 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Ge 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

OUR ATTITUDE
God made us, we were made in His image. But it’s our attitude, not our appearance or health that separates us from God. Moses complained that he wasn’t a good speaker, God got angry. (Ex 4:10,11)

Zig Ziglar calls it “stinkin thinkin”. Look to the scriptures, there are wonderful words of comfort from our Creator; “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isa 40:28

God has a question for us when we complain about the troubles of life; “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” Job 38:4. I think that it’s morally wrong for Christians to remain unhappy. We can have sorrow and complaints, but to continue to talk about them, elevating them above our hope in Jesus, then what are we saying about Him? What are we saying to the world about our Savior?

OUR SPEECH

Jas 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

EXAMPLES of Positive attitudes

  1. Stephen, As he lay dying, he said these words about his accusers, “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Ac 7:60
  2. Paul; “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;” Php 1:21

OUR ABILITIES
God has provided for each and every one of us with something to contribute.

  • 1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
  • 1Co 12:12-31; (12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
  • Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
  • Talents; Mt 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Be Happy for Jesus

Many an ugly, sick or poor person has brought someone to Christ! If we only spoke about the love of God when we feel great, then we’re missing huge opportunities. 

  1. Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
  2. Peter told folks to appear hopeful in the midst of persecution; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1Pe 3:15

Even if there seems to be nothing in the world to make us happy, we should still act happy. The reason, one day the Lord shall return to take us to a far better place.

“Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear” ― A Grief Observed – CS Lewis.

spencer
Borger, Tx
806/274-5021
Ask me how to make your calling and election sure. 2Pet 1:10