SEP 25

1 Peter 2:22-23
Memorise 1 Peter 2:22
“As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth”

When one is bullied, the natural tendency is always to retaliate, to lash back at the person abusing you. It takes a huge amount of self-control to just turn the other cheek, and not take matters into our own hands – especially if we know we are able to easily overcome our opponents. As we remember the suffering of Christ, we must also remember the passive manner in which he received all the abuse that he was afflicted with, for “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

1 Peter 2:22 describes Jesus as having ‘no guile in His mouth’. To be without guile is to be free of deceit, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action. Such a person has only honest intents and pure motives. When Jesus was falsely accused and greatly provoked, nothing that He said in response was sinful. When Jesus was reviled and subjected to abusive language, He didn’t revile in return. For example, when Jesus was tried unjustly by the Sanhedrin Council in Matthew 26:57-75, He was greatly provoked, being spat upon in His face, buffeted and smote on with the palm of their hands. He accepted all the abuse they threw at Him in silence, not reacting to the great pain and humiliation it was causing him. His example is a perfect standard for us. As a Christians, we are never to return abuse to the one who gives it, no matter how unjust their abuse might be. Christ accepted the injustice of it all without threatening anyone. He simply committed Himself to God who judges righteously. That is also what we should do. Fighting back, whether physically or verbally does not show that we are strong. That is not God’s way. We should calmly and confidently commit our cause to God, for we know that God will surely judge.

Dearest teen, to be without guile, we need to be careful of the words that we say. Do you use enticing words to tempt someone to say or do something they would not do otherwise? Do you often exaggerate? That is saying things that are beyond the truth, which is a lie. Do we gossip? That is spreading news that does not edify. Do we backbite? That is to speak evil of someone. Beware too of proud and boastful words. Flattery is another form of guile that we should also avoid. You can see from the list of symptoms here that we need to be very thoughtful and careful when we speak. How will you respond when you are provoked? Always remember the perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought: An absence of guile, is a by-product of a full surrender to God.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, show me the deceit in my heart that I may repent and be an honest and transparent person.