Dream Haters: Shameless Shouters

Death and life ARE in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

B.C. Carey was a shameless shouter: a word-warrior armed with fiery darts. They were aimed at “perps” I was SURE were wrong– which also meant… I was SURE I was right. Ugg. (How embarrassed I am remembering.)

But when I met Jesus, I realized SELF-righteousness is not GOD-Righteousness. These two conditions CANNOT CO-EXIST.

Because unless God Himself tells us to…

  • Put down a bully,

  • Warn of a danger,

  • Call down a great wall,

  • Or preach to a crowd…

Shouting should be limited to worship: an exuberant expression of praise!

'When the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook' (1 Samuel 4:5).

Most often, shouting is the opposite: an exuberant expression of wrath: cursing, name-calling, or verbal hatred.

' 'Crucify Him!' they shouted' (Mark 15:13).

Fast forward to common everyday lives: kids raised by shouting parents can become… shy-sharp or passive-aggressive adults (sadly similar to mistreated dogs): 

  1. They can become shy: severely withdrawn– unable to live life to its fullest.

  2. They can become sharp: harshly critical– unable to control their sharp tempers.

  3. They can become both: passive-aggressive– chained to a psychiatric disorder.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Remember 3 things that loud-mouthed people would have you forget:

  1. 'A soft answer turns away wrath' (Proverbs 15:1). 'It is to one's glory to overlook an offense' (Proverbs 19:11). Kindness and gentleness are godly fruit. Verbal intimidation is rotten.

  2. 'Be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10). God doesn't bellow like a tornado. The Lord of Hosts speaks in 'A still, small Voice' (1 Kings 19:12).* He comes in quiet communication. That's the purpose of a prayer closet. Leaving worldly noise helps us hear God Talk.**

  3. If verbal abuse has been aimed at you, ask God to free you from all past curses. Daily, speak the 'Helmet of salvation' (Ephesians 6:17) tightly on your ears. You may hear bad words, but they won’t harm you– nor will they deter you from your purpose.

Dream Haters: Shameless Shouters (Part 16)

* Elijah hears from God: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+19%3A11-13&version=NKJV

** 'But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father' (Matthew 6:6). 'Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed' (Luke 5:16).

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban