Bible Devotions for Living

Do you speak sinfully about God’s children?

The account of Miriam and Aaron

Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married … And the Lord heard it … ⁵ Then the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud … and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward, ⁶ He said: “Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. ⁷ Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My household. ⁸ I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”  (Num 12:1-8)

God was not happy with Miriam and Aaron when they spoke against Moses. He called them out on bad mouthing Moses because he was very special to God.

The danger of speaking poorly of God’s children

All believers are God’s children (1 Jn 3:1-2) and Psalm 18 shows us how God defends His children.

You wouldn’t criticize, tear down, or gossip about someone’s child in front of their parent, would you? If you did, you know that parent would become angry with you and set you straight right away to defend their child. So why would you talk negatively about other believers who are God’s children? God died to make believers His children and cares deeply about each of His children. When you gossip, criticize, or tear down other believers, you’re hurting them and tearing God’s children down within His hearing distance and He’s probably not happy about it.

Be careful not to speak sinfully about people in your church, your pastors, or any other believers.

How to catch yourself from speaking poorly

• Figure out why you speak negatively of other believers and work on changing it.
• Be on guard—catch yourself before you say something hurtful.
• Next time you’re tempted to say something negative, try saying something positive instead!

Think about it

Do you speak negatively / sinfully about any of God’s children behind their backs?

Is God pleased with what you say about other believers?

Who do you typically speak against? Under what circumstances? Why? What can you learn from that?

Do you initiate bashing conversations or just jump in when one starts?

God loves His children. Treat other believers with love, kindness and respect, knowing your words matter to God. Next time you’re about to speak, ask yourself: “Would God be happy with what I’m about to say?”

I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. (Mt 12:36)

⁶ And the tongue is a fire … ⁹ We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ¹⁰ Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. (Jms 3:6-10)

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up … (1 Thes 5:11)