Satan Speaks, Round 2

Here we are again, in the middle of Chapter 2 of War of Words.

I feel as if I should have some reservation in continuing with this particular chapter because the scripture speaks so clearly to my own sinful heart.

Oh, speaking of scripture, my brother recommended a Study Bible and I ordered it today. I can't wait for to arrive so I can really get into The Word.

Back to Satan Speaks. Tripp provides SO. MANY scripture references here that it is overwhelming. I want to give you just a few. That is one reason I so love this book. Tripp's experiences and his work is so very, very grounded in the Word of God.

Tripp quotes a portion of James 3. I want to give you my favorite portion of this section:
"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Brothers and sisters, let us think quietly about that for just a moment.

Isn't that so true? Lions and tigers are tamed for circus acts, horses are broken so they can be ridden, dolphins are contained so we can swim with them. Yet we can not control the very words that come from our own lips. A single part of our own bodies are beyond our control. My heart aches with this admission.

Tripp also gives many examples from Proverbs that shows so clearly "the war of words that is so much a part of life in our fallen world." (pg. 26)

I could reprint every single reference and give a specific example of how it relates to my own experiences, but I'll just list a few. Think about them. What do they say to you? Let's talk about them.

If you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth,
then do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands:
Go and humble yourself;
press your plea with your neighbor! (Proverbs 6:2-3)

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs 6: 16-19)

A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. (Proverbs 12:17-19)

He who loves a quarrel loves sin;
he who builds a high gate invites destruction. (Proverbs 17:19)

And my personal favorite:
Better to live on the corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. (Proverbs 21:9)

Talk about conviction! Tripp says, "With our talk, either we are imaging our Creator and Lord, or we are imaging the Serpent, Satan." (pg. 26) There is no gray area. Either we are speaking truth and love, honoring our Father, or we are dishonoring our Father and speaking lies.

"We often have descended to the standard of the Father of Lies, the one who deceives, divides, and destroys--Satan himself." (pg. 29) I teach the 2 and 3 year old Sunday School class. Just this past Sunday, IN THE LORD'S HOUSE, I did this very thing. A grandparent of one of my student's asked if we enjoyed something she gave us. Instead of truthfully admitting that we had not used it yet, I replied, "Oh, yes. Thank you very much." As a culture, we accept those little white lies. However, once that little lie has been spoken, the next one is easier, and the next one easier after that. Suddenly, I find myself dismissing truth and allowing myself to use a little deception here, a little over there. I just sprinkle it around.

On page 29, Tripp makes the following statements. I asked myself if I was guilty of each statement. I'm sure you can guess the response.

We have laid traps with our mouths. (Have you?)
We have seduced with our words. (Have you?)
Our talk has stirred up dissension. (Has it?)
We have said too much and spoken in haste. (Have you?)
Our words have been reckless. (Has yours?)
We have given in to gossip and in our anger our words have been malicious. (Have you?)
We have been quarrelsome. (Have you?)
At times, we have delighted to air our own opinions. (Have you?)
We have given in to mocking humor. (Have you?)
We have betrayed the confidence of others with our words. (Have you?)

So now that we realize that our words are not only rooted in goodness, do not always glorify God, but are also rooted in sin, in the way of the Serpent, what do we do? How do we shun the lie and accept the truth? Tripp says that we must confess that our "communication struggle is not primarily a struggle of technique, but a struggle of the heart. Our war of words is not with our people; it is a battle within." (pg. 30)

Since beginning this book study, I am becoming so aware of this battle within myself. I find that when I snap at my husband or speak harshly to my child, I realize immediately that I am not honoring God. That I am abusing my parental authority, that I am dividing, destroying, not supporting, helping, changing.

Tripp closes this chapter with a delightful verse of grace. There is hope for us!

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Praise God! Isn't He so good to us??

Tripp provides some reflective questions at the end of each chapter. Do you want me to provide some for your reflection? (Ahem...I'm trying to prompt you to leave me a little comment.)

I think 56 of you have stopped by. You are choosing not to comment and I certainly respect that. But know that I continue to pray for you. My prayer today covers all of you. I'm asking the Lord to expose your communication struggles to you. Are you destroying, dividing, causing dissension? I want the Lord to make you painfully aware. I want the Lord to make me painfully aware. I want us to go to the Cross together, asking the Lord to change us: to change our hearts so that we might make this place more holy, so that our families are more peaceful, so that we change the face of our homes, our workplaces, our friendships.

I'm also going to ask Him to give you a little nudge so that I know who you are...go ahead, click the comment button, push a few buttons. Tell me you were here.

In Christ,
Natalie