Love Takes Its Place

For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. – (1 Peter 2:15, HCSB)

When you do good, you stop the ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants. – (1 Peter 2:15, ERV)

You see, it is God’s will that by doing what is right and good you should hush the gabbing ignorance of the foolish. – (1 Peter 2:15, VOICE)

We are all called to love God and love people. If we live a life of love, we will choose to do good as often as possible. As we do, our heart is made known and our character is established as one who seeks to do good. Often, a mere motion of kindness can disrupt an act of foolishness. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to do good and silence the chatter of foolishness spoken in ignorance. Teach us to delight in You and Your will, for consistent words and deeds speak volumes about a person’s character.

Lord, lead us to live,

As You’ve called us to;

A life full of love,

That’s pleasing to You.

For as we love well,

Give kindness and grace;

Foolish are silenced,

And love takes its place.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love and do good. Thank You that as we do, foolish and ignorant words and actions are silenced. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen to do the good that You’ve called us to. Teach us to turn to You for strength and courage to do good, in spite of what we want to do. Lead us to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead to love and do good as we were created to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works. – Hebrews 10:24

Good Silences Foolishness

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. – (1 Peter 2:15, NIV)

When you do good, you stop ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants. – (1 Peter 2:15, ERV)

For it is God’s will for you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. – (1 Peter 2:15, TPT)

Our charge is not to argue and dispute matters on social media, but rather it is to be an example by doing good. The reality is that actions speak louder than words. It is only when upright actions are repeated over time, that one’s reputation speaks for itself. God calls us to do good. If we are loving Him and loving those around us, what weight would foolish words hold? For me, when I know a person’s heart and character and they are continually doing good, no one has a valid voice if they speak ill of them. Character speaks volumes. The more that we seek after God’s own heart and ever work to do good wherever we go, the less anyone has to say against us. May we ever seek the Lord and His perfect will, so that we may do good and silence things spoken in spite.

Actions speak louder,

Than mere spoken words;

Steeped in God’s goodness,

The truth may be heard.

For foolish speaking,

Lacks a valid voice;

When good’s being done,

Acts in love, our choice.

So, let us choose good,

In all that we do;

Let love light the way,

As goodness shines through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do good. Thank You that as we follow You and navigate life through love, foolish talk and ignorant speech is silenced. Forgive us for our foolishness and lack of love. Teach us to seek to do good in all things at all times. Show us how to love in such a way that Your good silences all that is not laden in love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to do the good that You call us to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Good Silences Foolishness

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. – (1 Peter 2:15, NIV)

When you do good, you stop ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants. – (1 Peter 2:15, ERV)

For it is God’s will for you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. – (1 Peter 2:15, TPT)

 

This is the biblical version of “actions speak louder than words”. When we are consistent in character and choose to do good over and over again, our reputation stands among those who know us, and foolish or ignorant words spoken surrounding who we are, what we do, or what we stand for, will not be given ear by those who have observed who we are over time. It does not mean that humans are infallible, yet it reminds us to assume positive intent, especially among those who consistently choose to do good. God calls us to love one another, and choosing to extend kindness, grace and mercy in what we do and how we interact with others is paramount in pleasing God. May we seek the Lord for strength, so that we do not grow weary in doing good.

 

The Lord has called us,

To choose to do good;

Be kind, show mercy,

Make grace understood.

For our character,

Should stand on its own;

Through consistent good,

God’s love is made known.

It is by His love,

That foolish talk falls;

As truth rises up,

Breaking down false walls.

So, let us choose good,

Again and again;

Love as the Lord loves,

So His truth shall reign.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do good consistently over time. Thank You that as we do, our character and reputation speak louder than foolish talk spoken by those who intend harm. Thank You that what matters most is what You think of us, as Your opinion has eternal implications. Forgive us for worrying about disputing foolish talk, or engaging in banter that does not represent You well. Teach us to choose to do good in all things and at all times. Show us how to love as You do, even when people speak foolishly with the intent to harm. Help us know how to do good in such a way that it silences the desire to be unkind, and grows good within the recipient. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to do good in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:5 

Do the Good

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. – (1 Peter 2:15, NIV)

When you do good, you stop ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants. – (1 Peter 2:15, ERV)

For it is God’s will for you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. – (1 Peter 2:15, TPT)

 

When we walk in God’s will and choose to do the good to which we are called, foolish words find no footing, as our unwavering way is our witness to what is true. This is no accident, but rather it is by God’s design. Even the most foolish of folks will not slander good that they see consistently over time. May we rise up in the Lord’s strength and do the good for which we have been called. Let our deeds do the talking so that the foolish are silenced.

 

When we choose do good,

We silence each voice;

Of ignorant fools,

Who’d make unkind choice.

No word can be said,

Against loving good;

So, let us take rise,

And walk as we should.

We each have purpose,

Designed with intent;

To love and do good,

We’re each heaven sent.

In all that we say,

And all that we do;

May we love and serve,

So God’s heart shines through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do good, not only to bless those around us, but to protect us as well. Thank You that when we seek You and listen to You, You show us the good that we can do wherever we go. Forgive us for neglecting to either listen or act on that which You ask. Teach us to trust You more. Show us how to love those around us with our every word and deed, so that they may see Your heart through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us the good to which we are called in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

O man, He has told you what is good. What does the Lord ask of you but to do what is fair and to love kindness, and to walk without pride with your God? – Micah 6:8