Broken Words and Broken People

I've been thinking a bit lately about how my (our) actions and words can and do effect others. Our actions and words can effect those around us for the good, but also for the bad. Words spoken in love can bring life, building up and edifying others, but the reverse is also true.

Sarcasm and satire can often times be very humorous, but when it is taken to far it can be destructive and hurtful. The same can be said for prophetic statements and actions. When done in love and fueled by the Spirit of God they can bring life, but when prophetic statements and actions are fueled by wrong motives and are overly critical they often times do more harm then good.

This is true in my life. I have been built up and torn down by other peoples actions and words, just as I have built up and torn down others by my actions and words. I suppose this is yet another way in which living in community with others while intentionally practicing the spiritual disciplines can be such a helpful sharpening tool in our own personal development and growth.

I do believe that there are times and places for mild sarcasm and satire (which can lend itself to a storytelling parable style of teaching), and for black and white prophetic statements and actions, but these must always be done in a spirit of love. Finding this balance however can be much more difficult to put into practice, then to merely write about on a 3 minute blog post.

I am the first to admit that I have a long ways to go in learning how to be not simply a prophetic voice, but a prophetic voice that speaks with divine love that can only come from a life lived in communion with the Divine Maker and Creator of all.

Peace,

Matthew Pascal