A PARABLE

There was once a wealthy man who owned many, many sheep.  This man hired shepherds

and assigned them sheep to care for.  

One young man excitedly started his job as a shepherd.  The master gave him five sheep, a beautiful ewe and four lambs.  The young man was to care for the sheep and report to the master on how things were going.

This young man loved his sheep dearly.  He made sure to take them where the grass was rich and the water was clean and calm.  He watched over them carefully.  There were many wolves in that country just waiting to grab a sheep or a lamb.  The young man kept vigilant watch over those precious sheep.  

The sheep in turn loved their shepherd.  They listened to his voice.  They relied on him.  They trusted him to protect them.  Because of the good care and their peaceful trust the sheep throve.

The young shepherd was very careful to report to the master every day.  He told him of the progress the sheep were making.  When there was a problem or concern with the sheep he would talk to the master and listen to his advice.  All was well.

Along with wolves in that country there were also worthless shepherds.  These men would ignore their sheep and try to lead the good shepherds astray.

One day, our young shepherd was accosted by one of the worthless shepherds.  He was told that it was ridiculous to spend so much time with his sheep.  He needed to have a little fun and let his sheep take care of themselves now and then, they would be fine.

The young man knew better than to listen to such lies and refused to trust the worthless shepherd.  However, he began to be tired.  It was such a lot of work to protect his sheep.  He began to skip a day now and then of talking to the master.  He decided that he already knew enough about taking care of sheep and didn't need to listen to the master anymore.

He started thinking about all the fun things he could do if he had more time for himself.  He decided he could take a few minutes every day to just relax and do something fun.  

At first it seemed to be fine.  The sheep were still healthy and safe.  The young shepherd was confident that he had everything under control.  Pretty soon he was talking to the master only a few minutes once a week and then only once a month.  

One day, one of the lambs was sick.  It began to lose weight and couldn't keep up with the ewe and other lambs as they grazed.  Then a prowling wolf came and caught the lamb.  

The young shepherd was upset, but told himself that it wasn't his fault, accidents happen and he still  had the other four sheep.  

One day, after he had been having a lovely time with his friends and their sheep, he couldn't find his sheep.  They had wandered off.  He did manage to find them, but sadly one lamb had broken a leg.  

Finally, the day came when the master called all his shepherds to come to his sheep farm and bring their sheep.  As each shepherd arrived, the master inspected their sheep and gave a judgement.  Some shepherds were praised for their faithfulness in caring for the sheep.  Others were sent away in disgrace.

As our young man approached with his remaining three sheep, he had all his excuses ready.  The sheep were contrary, they needed too much attention, he deserved time for himself.  He wasn't worried.  The master looked at the once beautiful ewe.  She was now tattered and worn from trying to watch the lambs herself.  She had lost weight and was in distress.  The two remaining lambs were sick and dying.  

What do you think the master did to that shepherd?   "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Matthew 11:15 (ESV)

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"  Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

"Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them."   Colossians 3:19 (ESV)

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
  Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

WATCH YOUR WORDS

In Matthew 12, verse 36 Jesus says that on the day of judgment we will have to give account

for every careless word we speak ("I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak").  That is extremely serious.

When I was growing up most people were more careful of their speech than people in this day and age.  I still remember my mother teaching me that I shouldn't even use common expressions of exclamation.  In her opinion those words were just softer ways of using God's name in vain.

Now, whether you believe that or not, what we say matters.  Carelessness in our speech leaves us open to more and more sinful speech.  The Bible has a lot to say about how we talk.  Consider Proverbs 13:3  "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."  What comes out of our mouth can ruin us.

I know of someone who was carefully raised.  He was taught to avoid needless words and expressions.  As he grew into adulthood he became careless.  He took on the speech of those around him.  He heard a lot of cursing and foul language at his workplace.  Because of his

carelessness, he began using such language.  Careless speech is a grave danger.  He will have to answer for those careless words.

But, cursing and bad language is only one aspect of careless words.  Words spoken out of temper, gossip, unkind joking.  All these are other forms of careless speech.  The parent who gets frustrated with their child and tells them to just shut up.  The neighbor who gets angry over the way the neighbor's dog barks in the mornings, and shouts insults over the fence.  Or, what about spouting an opinion about something you really know nothing about.  

We need to think before we speak.  Consider these proverbs: "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23 (ESV) "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."  Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."  Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

As Christians we need to "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Colossians 4:6 (ESV).  We must always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

James warns us about how difficult a job it is to control the tongue.  

" For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:2-12 (ESV)

We must guard our tongue and we must protect our heart.  When we are exposed to sinful, careless speech, we must fill our heart with God's words.  In this busy world we must take time to meditate on the words of God and fill our heart with them so that what we speak blesses us and others.  Jesus warns us in Matthew 15:18  "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."

And a final thought:  "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless."  James 1:26

SCRIPTURE WRITING UPDATE

I thought those of you who have been reading this blog might like an update on how my scripture writing is going.  I absolutely recommend it.  It has been a true blessing to me.  I started with Philippians.  Then I decided to write out Colossians since we are studying that book on Sunday evenings.  When I completed Colossians I went on to Ephesians since we are going through Ephesians in our Sunday morning sermons.  I am hooked!  

One of my readers who has tried it is also feeling blessed.  She mentioned liking the slow pace which gives more time to think about each word and phrase.  

One other reader just started and is writing Proverbs.  She keeps her Bible out on the table and stops now and then to write.  

If you have tried it and would like to share your experience, please do!

I know it might not be for everyone but I am so thankful to have added it to my morning routine.