Freedom Fighters

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word is a word spoken in right circumstances." (Prov. 25:11 NASB).

The next Character quality from the leadership acrostic JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is Tact. Honestly, more times than not I'm about as tactful as a bull in a China shop! Oftentimes like Peter I suffer from foot in mouth disease. Whenever I open my mouth, my foot seems to go in it. But consider How God used Peter to write 2 encouraging epistles to the church. The first one was to encourage them to 'Keep on Keepin' on,' the second to watch out for poison in the pew!

Solomon, in the above verse, paints a beautiful word picture that encapsulates the idea of tact in our speech. It illustrates the fact that our speech can be sweet and beautiful if we use tact. Someone once said that tact is speaking to someone in such a way as to not make an enemy. Exercising tact is putting several biblical principles into practice. Here are some:

Psalms 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth..."

Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath..."

Proverbs 15:2a "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable..."

Ephesians 4:15 "...Speaking the truth in love..."

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so you will know how you should respond to each person."

Notice these verses all have to do with our speech. However, there is one more principle that is vital to exercising tact that does not directly address our speech, but our heart toward others that will helps us exercise tact in our relationships.

Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

If I take a moment to think of how I ought to speak to someone as to not make an enemy, I'm looking out for their interests above my own. If I lack tact and don't care how I come off to another-then it's all about me and not them.

If you're like me (tactful like a bull in a china shop) Pray and ask the Lord to set a guard over your mouth. Watch how faithful he shows Himself to you as you talk to others today. (from the pen of Pastor Mike Woods - Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Men, America's KESWICK)

Great Quote: "A half truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth." J. I. Packer -Think about it!

This summer you have the opportunity to hear some of the great preachers of America share God's Word from the pulpit of America's KESWICK. Have you made your reservation for a Victory Week? Check out the full-color brochure on our website at www.americaskeswick.org and make your reservation today! For more information, call 800-453-7942.