This blog will address the first question, which is in relation to verse 15 of psalm 73 ("If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed the generation of your children.").
"What's the difference b/w feeling and verbalizing the feeling?
If there is a difference- how upsetting is that to God?"
Remember that our psalmist was looking at those around him and felt that all the wicked were prospering and by comparison his circumstances were impoverished (v 12). In verse 13 he says, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He truly feels that his obedience to God has been to no avail. Those thoughts, those feelings are a betrayal to God (as the psalmist admits in later verses). The question is, would it have been worse if he had given voice to those feelings (and if so, is that sin even more upsetting to God).
We have to start with the premise that because of our sinful nature even our thoughts and feelings are rooted in sin. What a circumstance causes us to feel is not necessarily what is true. This is why the bible tells us to "take every thought captive," (2 Cor 10:5) and rather then change our feelings, to "renew our minds," (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23).
So, in between that time of feeling and thinking thoughts that are rooted in our sin and conforming our thoughts to Christ, we have to choose (as the psalmist did) to work out our sin within our hearts, or give voice to it. There is a moment of choice, when we feel bitter or angry or hurt, and we must choose to not let sin compound sin by giving voice to our sinful thoughts (for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, Matt 12:34).
Ephesians chapter 4 is a great chapter on transforming our hearts and speech. For the purpose of answering the question we'll look at verses 29-32 (but read the whole chapter if you have time). "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
The word corrupting can be translated as unwholesome, rotten, etc...The very opposite of speech that blesses the hearer(s). Our talk must not be fueled by the emotions of our hearts but by the truth of our God. Therefore, as the psalmist says, he knew he was struggling with sinful thoughts, but he knew well enough to work it out with God (ps 73:16-17) rather then speak out against others or call his friends and "vent."
As far as feeling or verbalizing, is one being more upsetting to God, I think the issue is really about the sin. When we speak out the sin in our hearts we are choosing to sin further, and we not only pursue more sin ourselves but may lead others to sin (ps 73:15). As James says, when we let our tongues loose we can work mass destruction (James 3).
The word corrupting can be translated as unwholesome, rotten, etc...The very opposite of speech that blesses the hearer(s). Our talk must not be fueled by the emotions of our hearts but by the truth of our God. Therefore, as the psalmist says, he knew he was struggling with sinful thoughts, but he knew well enough to work it out with God (ps 73:16-17) rather then speak out against others or call his friends and "vent."
As far as feeling or verbalizing, is one being more upsetting to God, I think the issue is really about the sin. When we speak out the sin in our hearts we are choosing to sin further, and we not only pursue more sin ourselves but may lead others to sin (ps 73:15). As James says, when we let our tongues loose we can work mass destruction (James 3).
2 comments:
This is such good insight into the scriptures, Thank you Lord for your discerning spirit. I know that reading this on my own I most likely would not have made that correlation. Praise God for giving us all different giftings, so that we may be more complete.
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing..." James 3:9&10. When I think about it in these terms how much worse does it feel. "Oh I'm just venting". But, I'm cursing one of God's creations. As if my thoughts aren't bad enough. I appreciate how Bridget worded it, "compounding sin".
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