Gut-level Goodness
to sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted and humble in spirit” 1 Peter 3:8 NASB
Kind-hearted – eusplanchnoi in Greek. Wow! Don’t even try to say this word. The prefix eu means “well” or “good” (you remember eulogize?). But “good” what? The second part of the word (splanchnon) means “intestine” or in ancient languages, “bowel.” We might conclude that this word is talking about good digestion. But we need to look at the cultural setting to see what the real meaning is. The proper translation must capture the meaning of an idiom. The ancient Greeks saw this word as an expression of pleasant feelings toward someone. If you think about it, you can see why they used this particular word. We have an idiom like this when we say that a particular person makes me feel good inside. What we mean is that we feel kindness and empathy toward that person. But we express this idea in terms of our own inner makeup.
Consider the opposite feelings. Have you ever been around someone who makes you feel sick inside? Have you ever thought, “This person is upsetting my stomach”? I remember an encounter years ago when the conversation was so vicious that I literally got sick. As the other person reprimanded me, I suddenly felt a hot flash, got dizzy and felt ill. My mental discomfort had a direct effect on my physical condition. His words made me physically sick.
Peter certainly knew about this feeling. I can only imagine how ill he must have felt after he denied Jesus. Now he writes to his Christian family and tells them, “Make each other feel good inside.” Kindness is one of God’s most powerful medicines. I had an experience today of just how far I am from practicing this all the time. My wife baked a pie. She is a great cook, but this one just didn’t taste right. The flour she used was bad. When we were with some friends later, I told them about the “bad” pie. That remark was not kind-hearted. My words did not make my wife feel good inside. How much better if I had complimented her on the wonderful cooking she does every day rather than focus on the one problem that wasn’t even her fault. I have a long way to go before “kind-hearted” describes all my words. When my actions make someone else feel bad, I feel bad too. I should have listened to Peter. Be eusplanchnoi. Make someone feel good inside. Don’t give them a stomach ache today.
Peter’s remark reminds me of my mother who used to say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I resisted that advice, complaining that the truth was more important than protecting someone’s feelings. Now I’m not so sure. Our ability to hear and accept the truth is often determined not by the accuracy of the statement but by the kindness with which it is given. We don’t diminish the truth by making it good to taste, but we will certainly drive people away from the truth if we serve it up on a plate of bad feelings.
Topical Index: eusplanchnoi, kind-hearted, feelings, truth, 1 Peter 3:8
Haha, exactly my experience! My wife’s a great cook, but sometimes I forget to tell her. But oh my, that one time she by accident doubled the salt! The children were very clear: ‘this is disgusting!’ I experienced this feeling myself, when the kids forgot about fathersday. I felt really hurt, for some seconds… After all I did and do so much for them, they simply didn’t think of ME.
Ofcourse it took only little time to realise they are just kids. Puberty makes you very selfish, you still have to learn a lot. And so do I!
The point is: this is exactly what we do with our heavenly Father. We daily forget to thank Him, to acknowledge Him for all He has done and does for us. But we do keep reminding Him of all He should do for us.
So these days I try to make my wife feel better, remembering how I would feel. And I try to remember His goodness and mercy and not being such a terrible selfish person. It makes a lot of difference, I guess, not only for me, for Him also.
Ouch!! I am so guilty. It is so difficult to change. Family of God, please pray for me. I have a long way to go. God bless you all. Thanks for this good word Skip.
Soul Food- Our Bible.
Excellent ‘word’ for today and good for the digestive tract too!- lol! -(and ‘no’ I won’t even try to pronounce it!)
~Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O LORD -my Strength and my Redeemer. ~ Psalm 19.14
and all God’s people said?- amen!
Healing words? or hurtful words? We are (each and all) fully capable of both.
~ But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison ~
(James 3.8)
Wow! ..- is there any hope? *Hallelujah!- yes!
For “what’s down in the well comes up in the bucket”- I don’t know how to put it any plainer.
~You brood of vipers/snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say ~ (Matthew 12.34)
Ouch!- I don’t know whether to laugh or cry after hearing this!- Firstly(?) Who said these words? Secondly- to whom were these words addressed? Thirdly- Why were these words spoken? Fourthly, because it was our Messiah and Master who spoke these words- should we (stupid question of the year award) listen to Him?
Once again- (this time with feeling)- ~ For whatever is in your heart (in Hebrew- “lev”) determines what you say ~ or, (where I come from)- “what’s down in the well-comes up in the bucket.”
When we are sitting at the dinner table and “junior” spills his milk- (dad)- what comes out of your mouth? -you just ‘revealed’ your heart. (Luke 6.45) Or when an unkind, uncaring, “thoughtless” creature cuts us off in traffic- what comes out of our mouths? – (Don’t even “think it!”).
~Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips ~ Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips ~ (Psalm 141.3)
Who sets the guard? He does. Who takes control? He does. What must I do to be “delivered” from a potty mouth? ~ Ask and you (Carl) shall receive.
ADONAI, deliver me from evil words (which originate from evil thoughts). What I need is a new heart (lev), a renewed/reconstructed mind for a new start. If the words of my mouth will “spill over” from the meditations of my heart, then fill my heart, and renew my spirit with “good things.” Amen.
Amen ADONAI. – It is so! – I agree with You my LORD and my God. I confess my need of a Guard to lock my lips if necessary and to loose them when required. Teach me how “to speak the truth in love.” I publicly pray for and ask for the lashon limudim,- the tongue of a disciple. Give me words to encourage others and teach me to pray for their welfare. Teach me to love and give me loving, kind and helpful words, words of appreciation to add value to each and every life I encounter in my daily course of living. Refresh and renew my mind and my body. Give unto me Your Holy Breath. Enable and empower me to be a servant to all. A servant to my family and friends and a servant to the stranger. I ask for Your permission to be Your bond-slave and I will delight to do Your will- what You want, my ABBA Father. I ask that You would go before me and prepare the path of life that is mine to travel this very day. May my words minister grace unto the hearers and flow from a pure heart with pure motives. Cleanse me- make me new and use me in serving others on this the very day which You have made. This I ask, this is my petition, this is my prayer because of Your invitation: “Ask and you will receive.” May I have the mind of a child this day, trusting in my Father’s wise and Sovereign provision for I now know my Elohim is good- all the time- and to everyone. May I also reflect the character of my Father and also go about doing good especially to my brothers and sisters- those who are of the household of faith. Accomplish, O LORD, finish Your perfect work in us and conform us each and all into the image of our Redeemer, Mediator, and Intercessor. Finish to completion the good work you have begun in us is our prayer. In the Name which is above every name, and because of Your invitation, upon the knees of my heart I ask this. Amen.
I flunked out of medical school. My wife started making little jokes around other people about my lack of studying, or the like. It really bothered me, but it was exactly the same thing I had done with her cooking, her being late, and her naivety at certain things. I made little ‘harmless’ jokes. I hadn’t realized how high my horse was, but thank God she was more forgiving and gentle than I would have been.
I believe that God uses the ‘least force necessary’ approach to answering our prayers. I just wish I’d get the message when He nudged, instead of when he has to push.
Gabe- Skip has written an excellent article title “The Art of Discipline”. This for me, was such a wonderful “tune-up!”
And we as fathers know, how delighted we would be if our children would only listen to us. Obedient children are a delight to their fathers. But what about us when we hear our Father say- “Listen, listen to Me…” or again.. “Shema” O Israel.. What does it take for our Father to have our undivided attention? The seeing eye, the listening ear- our fixed and focused attention. ~Looking unto the Lamb..~ “Not a casual glance but a careful gaze.” Why? Has our God (who cannot lie) said- ~ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in You?..~
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, -not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
(Frances R. Havergal, 1876)
~ You will keep him in perfect peace, (shalom shalom) whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You..~ (Isaiah 26.3)
~ I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream ~
(Isaiah 66:12)
“the truth was more important than protecting someone’s feelings”
Doesn’t this depend on what kind of truth we are talking about? Choose between Truth that leads to Life or truth that leads to eventual death? No use if my kindness is killing someone softly. Almost everyone loves truth if it makes you feel better and good – but truth that comes with a sword seems to be the problem. The difference comes in listening to the Ruach and getting rid of spiritual autism – which is not only seeing what the Hand of God does, but knowing His heart and His face – Ps 27:8
I must learn from the Ruach the timing, how, when and where to tell the truth – (not putting her/him down in front of the friends!!) But the truth needs to get out – for there is nothing worst than making or baking the same mistake twice, especially if it could have been prevented. And I will definitely NOT feel good if next time, I bake the same bad pie for the whole congregation.
If “what makes you feel good inside” is from God, then kindness is Godly medicine – otherwise it is only good medicine( good medicine also includes pharmaceuticals = witchcraft)
No sparing of feelings when Yeshua firstly told Kefa the truth: ” I tell you that tonight before the rooster crows you will disown me three times”Math 26:34 – and of course Peter felt bad afterwards – but what if Peter had in the first place listened to what Yeshua said? “….Kefa this is in your heart”….. Peter could have repented? But no, he was too busy telling himself things that made him feel good about himself!! How many times does God tell me … Hey Luzette, this is in your heart …!! And I just keep on telling myself …. ” even if I must die with you, I will never disown you”!! Math 26:35
Compromise is the beginning of deception!
Luzette, I HAVE OFTEN READ AND APPRECIATED YOUR POST, AND THINK YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH FROM THE FULL COUNCIL OF GOD’S WORD. YOU DID THAT AGAIN IN THIS ONE. i DO NOT WRITE OFTEN ANY MORE, ALTHOUGH I ALWAYS READ THE POST. ACTUALLY AT MY HUSBAND’S AGE OF 83, AND I AM 79, AND YET WE ARE FAR TOO BUSY HELPING AND CARING ONE ON ONE FOR THE PEOPLE THE LORD PUTS IN OUR PATH, OR IN OUR YARD, OR IN OUR HOUSE TO HELP IN ALL THE NUMEROUS WAYS THAT PEOPLE NEED HELP FOR ME TO TAKE TIME TO WRITE MUCH. THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A GAMUT of work, FROM HELPING GET THREE BABIES INTO THE WORLD –WITH HELPS FROM MATERIAL NEEDS, TO SPIRITUUAL, TO EDUCATION FOR A CAMBODIAN COUPLE’S FIRST NEW BORN. TO BRINGING OUR MILITARY NEIGHBOR ON’ RETURN FROM AFGHAN INTO THE REAL WORLD OF A NEW BORN SON, AND TWO OTHERS, ONLY 2 AND HALF, AND 4 YEARS OLD. TO SEEING MANY OF OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORS BEING BURIED– ( OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS OLD, & PRIMARILY ELDERLY)
.– My computer got fried by lightening, yes totally, so got a laptop, with a new program, and I have been learning it– at our ages everything seems to be in low gear!
But we have been blessed by our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, to allow us TO HAVE HAD OUR 60 TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY JULY 3,–NO BAD FLOUR IN OUR CAKE THOUGH–WE DID NOT HAVE A CELEBRATION, NOR A CAKE, JUST A NOURSHING MEAL WITH FRESH GARDEN VEGGIES FROM MY HUSBAND’S GARDEN, AND SOME NICE ROAST BEEF. STARTING OUT AS WE BEGAN: JUST THE TWO OF US.– ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 28 DECENDANTS -COUNTING THEIR SPOUSES, AND 6 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN.—BUT NONE LIVE CLOSE BY–SCATTERED ACROSS THE STATES.
LUZETTE, -please continue to write wtih your HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED WORDS– La Vaye Billings down in Central Texas– the best I remember you are in Africa–with all the Big Cats— two of our greatgrand sons were adopted this year from Ethopia– they live in Ohio, they came to our home to visit us in June with our granddaughter, her husband and their two daaughters. — –Yahew is still on HIS THRONE–
Yes, the truth cannot be compromised, but I find that far too often we hide our lack of compassion behind the smoke screen of delivering the truth. We use the truth as a sledgehammer rather than a refreshing breeze. You can be sure that I am not interested in compromising the truth, but I also want to be sure that people DO something with it, and therefore I need to deliver it with the timing of the Spirit and the heart of the Lord.
COMPROMISE IS THE BEGINNING OF DECEPTION – IN OH SO MANY MANY WAYS… ♥
GOOD WORD LUZETTE…
Words are the first step towards action, hence the admonition about plotting against people is the same as committing the action. First words are conceived as thoughts, if we can’t take them captive, they tumble out as words, and if we don’t shut them off from our mouths they will eventually dictate our behavior toward that person. This applies even to our own beings…the questions and thoughts we allow to wallow around in our heads, statements that we make about ourselves, will become self fulfilling. As a man thinketh in his heart so shall he go…just some thoughts that this Word of the Day brought to mind for me.
and (very interesting and timely) -conversely to the idea of “good digestion”- there are those I purposefully try to avoid because they “turn my stomach!” I see certain ones “speechifying” on the TV and insist on either walking away or better yet- finding the “off” button! (I’d rather watch “reruns” of the recent Gulf Oil Spill.) So here’s to “good digestion” and pleasant thoughts- (Philippians 4.8)
“Have you ever been around someone who makes you feel sick inside? Have you ever thought, “This person is upsetting my stomach”?”
Hmmm
That’s funny, everyday I go to work any, even virtual, interaction with my manager
Makes me “feel sick inside”
My doctor told me some time ago that my nausea was actually a symptom of alcoholism
When I told her that a cold beer was the only thing that could cure my upset stomach
So now for my upset stomach I take a medication that makes me a bit “slow on the uptake”
And was just telling my daughter this morning that when I think about drinking a cold beer now it
Makes me “feel sick inside”
WOW SUCH REVELATION FROM A “BAD” PIE – THAT WAS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG – THE BAD PIE STARTED LONG AGO & MANIFESTED AT THAT POINT – BAD PIES ARE DEEPER THAN THAT…
I MEAN – YOU KNEW IT WAS THE BAD FLOUR – HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR WIFE’S COOKING BUT PERHAPS THE WAY YOU THINK SHE MAY NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THINGS LIKE BAD FLOUR OR LEAVING IT TOO LONG BEFORE USING IT – THE ROOT WAS SOMETHING DEEPER THAN THE BAD PIE & STILL MAY BE – I WOULD THINK/SAY IT WOULD TAKE A LOT FOR ANY WOMAN TO KEEP UP WITH SKIP MOEN & MAYBE HE THINKS/FEELS THE SAME WAY…
PERFECTIONISM IS A PROUD THING… ♥
jano – been there done that too
“REVELATION FROM A “BAD” PIE”
Hi Jan,
Good point. I don’t want to “pile on” our poor Skip, but rather relate to his “perfectionism”
I’ve found over the years that my failed quest for perfection has led to a lot of “cold beer”
MICHAEL, I HAD TO LAUGH AT YOUR RESPONSE BECAUSE SOME TIMES YOU CAN BE UNCANNILY FUNNY… 😀
ms jano
AND MAYBE COLD SHOWERS TOO… ♥
This concerns me, although maybe it shouldn’t. Perfectionism smacks of legalism – the attempt to achieve flawless living through the rigorous application of external rules. I don’t think I am about perfectionism, but I am certainly striving to become fully human and that means being without blame in the Lord’s eyes. I am also old enough, and battered enough, to know that even my failures, of which there are many, are used by God to bring be closer to the goal.
“striving to become fully Human and that means being without blame in the Lord’s eyes”
Hi Skip,
I think the usage of “perfectionism” carries a positive and a negative connotation
For example, when the Zen archer seeks “perfection” it has a positive connotation
But perfectionism has a negative connotation when it implies “holier than thou”
And perfectionism as a psychological trait can lead one away from behaving with Humility
Not “loving your neighbor”
In The Scarlet Letter, we see how perfectionism can lead to the the “unpardonable sin”
In Nathanial Hawthorne’s view, “violatating the sanctity of another person’s Heart”
Oops, in Hawthorne’s own words, “violatating the sanctity of the Human Heart”
I am certainly *striving to become fully human and that means being without blame in the Lord’s eyes.* FULLY HUMAN MEANS BEING WITHOUT BLAME IN THE LORD’S EYES – I WOULD THINK BEING FULLY HUMAN WOULD MEAN WE ARE NEVER GOING TO PERFECT UNTIL WE SEE HIM FACE TO FACE – ARE *HUMANS* CAPABLE OF SUCH IN OUR HUMANNESS – I DON’T THINK/FEEL SO – YES, WE SHOULD STRIVE BE HOLY/PERFECT AS HE IS TO KEEP US ON THE STRAIGHT & NARROW PATH BUT ACHIEVING IT HERE ON THIS FALLEN EARTH/WORLD – IS THAT POSSIBLE???
I TOTALLY BELIEVE & AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT: “I am also old enough, and battered enough, to know that even my failures, of which there are many, are used by God to bring be closer to the goal.
BUT I STILL THINK THE PIE INCIDENT WAS REVEALING SOMETHING MUCH DEEPER THAN A PIE WITH BAD FLOUR – IF I AM INCORRECT IN MY DISCERNMENT THEN PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
I WOULD THINK BEING FULLY HUMAN WOULD MEAN WE ARE NEVER GOING TO PERFECT UNTIL WE SEE HIM FACE TO FACE – ARE *HUMANS* CAPABLE OF SUCH IN OUR HUMANNESS – I DON’T THINK/FEEL SO
Hi Jan,
As Robert Browning put it:
“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
MICHAEL, TOUCHE’
Interjection
touché
(fencing) An acknowledgement of a hit.
An acknowledgement of the success, appropriateness or superiority of an argument or discussion; sometimes used sarcastically to mock one’s opponent’s absurd logic.
How do you know you’re a woman? Have you ever checked? – Touché.
If someone strives to be kind to others — they are a Christian following Jesus.
If someone strives to eat only clean foods — they are a Jew trying to earn their salvation.
Like the old saying goes, “If a poor man eats a snake, it is because of his exceeding hunger. If a rich man eats a snake it is out of his wisdom.” This saying isn’t about clean foods, but about different public perceptions looking at the same act.
In our modern context, following these “Jewish laws” requires an added spiritual courage. We disregard the traditions of men when we attempt to uphold Torah, because modern Christian culture refuses to see Torah as a road-map to express love for God and neighbor. Hence, the charge will always be “perfectionism”, “legalism”, or “works”.
Hi Gabe,
I hope your opening 2 sentences were in jest. I realize that this is what the Church has taught about Kashrut and Christian “freedom,” but we have certainly seen the fallacies in that.
Those two first statements are NOT my own thoughts, only what I think the prevailing Christian opinion is.
In mainstream Christianity, there seems to be a double-standard when it comes to pursuing righteousness. We are allowed to sweat and work towards ideals that are luminous or difficult to define (love, mercy, or patience), but if we strive to keep Sabbath or eat cleanly – this must be an attempt to ‘earn salvation’. Each church has it’s allowable virtues to pursue.
Skip wrote:
I heard something recently (it may have been from Monte Judah, I can’t remember) about “walk before me and be blameless”. The question was, how can we be blameless before God?
The answer – one commandment at a time. If I keep just one commandment – the one that is applicable to where I am at and what I am doing right now – I am blameless before God. Even if I don’t get it 100% right (whether in the eyes of man or the “letter of the law”), if my heart’s intention is to obey (because I love my Father) then I am blameless. Just as we live life one breath at a time, so we obey (and learn to obey) one commandment, one action, one step at a time.
Blameless before God and blameless before man aren’t necessarily (or often) the same thing, but man’s opinion doesn’t actually matter. What matters is what God thinks of me (which is sometimes higher than I think of myself).
Technical difficulties with TW? Just wondering.