John 8:7:  ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

1 Peter 3:10: ¹⁰ “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Ephesians 4:29 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

     Remember those sun-soaked summer days, especially after a quick cooling rain. How many of us hurried to the creek to the place where it pooled and found that perfect sized and shaped stone.  We sent it skipping over the smooth shining surface reflecting the overhanging leaves with the pieces of blue sky tumbling through. One, two, three, four, five … we’d count each diminishing dance on the water. Throwing those stones entertained us and bothered no one.         

     However, what about today? Do we still throw stones? No, not physical ones against the still water – but perhaps hurtful, harmful, even hateful words thrown towards family, friends, or even total strangers. Most of us have done it and we explain our justification with empty excuses … but no real reasons. As believers, when those words began to swell and slip from our heart to our lips, we need to pause and remember our imperfections, shortcomings, and even     failures. We should remember the words, “whoever is without sin – throw the first stone”! May we each find ourselves delivering words of comfort, encouragement, inspiration, truth, and love and leave the stones for the creek. Be blessed!

 

Robin Embry is Golf Coach for Henryville High School Girls Golf and dispenses Godly wisdom as he coaches.  He lives in Henryville, IN, and attends Henryville Church of Christ.