These sins could be called "relationship-breakers."* Most everything in this list is considered a sin of speech. How many times have words gotten me into trouble? I can't begin to count the times angry words have hurt my husband or my children. Every single time the relationship was hurt until apologies were made.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Wrong! I can remember saying that as a child and wanting to believe it with all my heart. It never worked, the cutting and biting words of bullies always hurt. We have all been victims of the anger of others and we know the pain of angry words. Why would we ever choose to inflict this same pain on our family, friends, or co-workers?
The Bible even instructs us to stay away from an angry person, "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered..." (Proverbs 22:24). Is there any way we can hope to be a Christ-like example to others when they are driven from us by our very words and attitudes?
"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." (James 3:6) Give it up, "...no man can tame the tongue." If this is one of the problems standing in the way of your being a good example for someone else, then it is also a problem in your relationship with Jesus Christ. First, confess it to Him, seek His forgiveness, then ask for the conquering power of the Holy Spirit to take over and make a change, that can make a difference in you and those around you.
I look forward to tomorrow. We have spent two days getting rid of things that get in the way of our example to others. Join me tomorrow as we look at some things that will be "relationship-builders"* in our lives.
*Life Applicaiton Bible footnotes