Saturday, February 6, 2016

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 17: Filters



Key Verse

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 WEB

Lesson

Water is vital to life. Clean drinking water is necessary for health. We have all experienced how refreshing a glass of water is when hot and thirsty. Jesus used water as an example for salvation. He said that he is the Water of Life. But we know that water is no good if it’s contaminated.

A water filter is useful because it makes contaminated water drinkable. If we consume contaminated water it will contaminate our body and make us sick. Drinking clean water not only doesn’t make us sick, but it makes us healthy and fights off sickness. Proverbs 15:1 says that a calm voice fights off wrath and anger but harsh words contaminated with anger cause more anger.

Sometimes it is hard to control our feelings. They seem to slip out in words we don’t mean to say. Or perhaps we don’t try to filter our speech at all. Psalms 1:26 reminds us if anyone wants to be righteous, they must filter their speech or control their tongue. “If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, [he] deceives his heart” (Psalms 1:26a).

Water cleanses our bodies by washing away impurities. In the same way, a relationship with Jesus, the Water of Life, washes away the impurities in our spiritual life. It provides a filter for our thoughts and speech. We are then able to respond to anger with calmness and kindness that will dispel that contaminant.

Questions

Have you ever struggled controlling your words?

Do you know what it is like to have words you regretting saying forgiven? How did that make you feel?


What if we “drank” the Water of Life as often as we drink physical water?