Open mouth and insert foot.

     This is one of the items that I should have on my resume!  It seems that over time this is one lesson that I've found difficult to learn.  Take last night for instance.  I was at church sitting at a table talking with a young lady.  She asked me what I had retired from.  I told her that I had worked in social services.  She said, "That must have been difficult."  We knew each other to be Christians and when you and I do that we make assumptions.  When we make assumptions we end up not being in a very good space.  I told her that it was sometimes difficult and that "I found it most difficult to see women getting free medical care to murder their babies."  Yep, that is what I said.  She said that she could empathize with me as she was one of those women.  Foot definitely in mouth.  Not being one to show a poke face embarrassment for my words flooded across my demeanor.  I immediately apologized for my words and asked for forgiveness.  I still feel that giving out free medical treatment for people who use it as a means of birth control is wrong.  However, I'm not talking about that today.  I was so over the line that I had no where to step back onto firm ground.  My sincerity in the apology was accepted and this young lady went on to talk about her past, bad choices, and eventually giving her life to Jesus.  Like me, she is unable to undo the past.  What she did accomplish was to put me in my place. 
     There have been other situations where I've made statements and lived to regret my words.  Some have been hurtful and others have been honest but inappropriate for the time and situation.  The Bible is full of people (followers of Jesus mainly) who seem to have paved the way before me.  Peter comes to mind the most often.  Here was a man who lived with, followed, and emulated Jesus for three years!  Yet, he said some of the stupidest things!  The most famous being his pledge to never deny Jesus and then doing so three times.  The cock crowed and foot in mouth disease proceeded to break through to Peter.  Here is the interesting part.  Jesus not only restored Peter and forgave him; he also used this as a teaching point through the Word even until this day.  Like it did with me.  It wasn't enough that I apologized to the young lady.  I needed to ask Jesus to forgive me for my sin.  We may believe that something is wrong.  We may know that God too believes it's wrong.  We may even feel compelled to speak about that which is wrong.  What I spoke, how I spoke and with ignorance spewed onto this young lady was without the Spirit.  Same as Peter.  It's difficult to listen to the Spirit of God when we are busy trying to do that job ourselves.  "I will never deny you!" was what Peter said to Jesus (who knows everything by the way even to the end of time).  What Peter was saying was that he wouldn't be needing Jesus on this simple task. 
     Please don't misunderstand, the Gospel is offensive to those who are perishing.  The Word is very specific about what is right and what is wrong.  The Son of God was adamant about this to the point of righteous anger in the temple.  Strong words and actions are warranted from Christians because of who God is and what he says.  These strong words and actions MUST be guided by the Holy Spirit and not Steve.  When the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak there is no foot in mouth disease even if the message is difficult for someone to hear.  I knew better.  So did Peter.  I failed to listen to the Spirit because of assumptions.  So did Peter.  I hurt someone.  So did Peter.  I asked for forgiveness and was forgiven.  So did Peter.  Jesus restored me.  Jesus restored Peter.  Did Peter fall again?  Probably.  Will Steve fall again?  Most likely.  Will Jesus be there to forgive and restore?  Yep!  He is the only cure for open mouth and insert foot disease.