RESPONDING WITH KIND WORDS
THE SEED
“When we are insulted, we answer with kind words. We are no more than this world’s refuse; we are the scum of the earth to this very moment!” 1 Corinthians 4:13 (GNB)
Many expect Christianity to shield them from opposition, but following Christ often invites insults and rejection. Jesus Himself was insulted and mocked, yet He responded with grace. Likewise, Apostle Paul taught believers to respond to insults with kind words a mark of spiritual maturity. This is not something that can be achieved by human strength alone. It requires the power of the Holy Spirit. When next you are insulted unjustly, remember that your response is an opportunity to reflect Christ. Train your heart to speak words that glorify God rather than words that wound others.
When we respond with kindness in the face of hostility, heaven takes notice, and our lives become a testimony of God’s transforming power.
Reflection: A kind word in response to insult is a weapon of light in a dark world.
BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 3:8–12
PRAYER: Lord, touch my tongue with Your fire, and let kind words flow from me even in provocation. Amen.
ÌDÁHÙN PẸ̀LÚ Ọ̀RỌ̀ PẸ̀LẸ́
IRUGBIN NAA:
“Wọ́n ń kẹ́gàn wa, àwa ń bẹ̀bẹ̀…” — 1 Kọ́ríńtì 4:13
Ọ̀pọ̀ ènìyàn ló máa ń retí pé ìgbésí ayé Kristẹni yóò dáàbò bo wọn kúrò lọ́wọ́ àtakò, ṣùgbọ́n títẹ̀lé Kristi sábà máa ń fa ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù àti ìkọ̀sílẹ̀ wá. A kẹ́gàn Jesu, a sì sọ ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù sí i, ṣùgbọ́n Ó dáhùn pẹ̀lú oore-ọ̀fẹ́. Bákan náà, Àpọ́sítélì Pọ́ọ̀lù kọ́ àwọn onígbàgbọ́ pé kí wọ́n fi ọ̀rọ̀ rere dáhùn ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù padà. Èyí kì í ṣe ohun tí ènìyàn lè ṣe nípa agbára ara rẹ̀ nìkan. Ó nílò agbára Ẹ̀mí Mímọ́. Nígbà tí a bá sọ ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù sí ọ láìtọ́, rántí pé ìdáhùn rẹ jẹ́ ànfààní láti fi Kristi hàn. Kọ́ ọkàn rẹ láti sọ ọ̀rọ̀ tí yóò yin Ọlọ́run l’ogo ju ọ̀rọ̀ tí yóò pa ẹlòmíràn lára lọ. Nígbà tí a bá dáhùn pẹ̀lú inúrere ní àkókò ìkórìíra, ọ̀run máa ń ṣe àkíyèsí, ìgbésí ayé wa sì máa di ẹ̀rí agbára ìyípadà Ọlọ́run.
ÀṢÀRÒ: Ọ̀rọ̀ rere tí a fi dáhùn ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù jẹ́ ìmọ́lẹ̀ nínú ayé òkùnkùn.
BIBLE READING: 1 Pétérù 3:8–12
PRAYER: Oluwa, fi iná Rẹ kan ahọ́n mi, kí ọ̀rọ̀ rere sì máa ṣàn láti ọ̀dọ̀ mi ní àkókò ìbínú. Amin.