The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"
"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained.
Then he upset one of the jars and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other jar, and vinegar spilled out."When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike.
The difference was within, and could not be seen.
When they were upset, their contents were revealed.
Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks' ( Luke 6:45)"
What if someone tipped you over today?? What would flow out??
Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm??
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"
(1 Peter 4:8)
Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for...
...some honey.
Author Unknown
I'm sure we all have our "honey" and "vinegar" moments but we need to choose one or the other and stick with it. Having honey and vinegar in the same jar is a waste of space because it results in a distaste. I've shared how verse 26 of Proverbs 31** always challenges me. Then James 3: 8-12 continues: "But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water." Based on these verses, there are 3 things we need to note and then act on:
1. What we say is based on what we have within - Matt 12:34b "For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks." (Amplified)
2. We must protect our hearts: "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." (Prov 4:23 - Amplified)
3. We must have honeyful hearts...the best way to get honey within is to consume the Word of God (the spirit, not the paper). Take a cue from the experiences of David & Ezekiel:
"Your words are very sweet to my taste! They are sweeter than honey to me."
(Ps 119:103-NIRV)
"“Fill your stomach with this,” he said.
And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth." (Ezekiel 3:3 - NLT)
You have precious treasure with you. Go forth and spread your honey -
before, during and after you're upset.
References:
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** "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. (NLT)
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