Guarding Our Hearts

Guarding Our Hearts From Devouring One Another

In Galatians 5:15, it says: “But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed by one another.”

That’s exactly what happens when souls are wounded. When hurt enters the heart, people begin to consume one another. Instead of healing, the pain becomes the focus. The hurt begins to overtake our thoughts, our words, and even our relationships. It truly does consume us if we allow it.

But the Lord has not called us to live that way. He has not called us to be consumed by devouring one another. Sometimes, wisdom requires that we remove ourselves from situations so that we are not overtaken by the spirit of tearing each other apart. There have been moments in my own life where I had to step away from certain things simply so that I would not be consumed by the devouring that was happening.

You were never designed to be torn apart. You were never designed to be cut up by dull blades that wound you every time you speak with someone.

God did not design you that way—and neither did He design me that way.

If we find ourselves speaking in ways that tear people down, then today is a good day to change our attitude. Every one of us must learn to speak from the love of God. No matter what we think about someone, we do not have the right to tear them apart with our words.

The Danger of Being “Puffed Up”

The phrase “puffed up” simply means to inflate, to swell, or to blow up. And in our world, we see a lot of swollen pride. We see people who are constantly elevating themselves.

There is a difference between honoring someone and being proud of yourself all the time. It’s good to be thankful for people. It’s good to acknowledge someone’s talents.

But when someone begins to present their own ability as greater than everyone else’s, there is a problem. That is pride. And pride dulls the blade.

The truth is, every one of us has strengths and weaknesses. You may find things you do better than I do, and I may find areas where I do something better than you. But that’s not the point. The point is that none of us should become puffed up.

We cannot allow our hearts to swell with pride.

The Importance of a Sharp Edge

There is a precise importance to sharpness—especially in our knowledge, our words, and the things God has entrusted to us.

Dull words can tear people apart.

When we try to sharpen someone, we must be careful not to cut them in the process. If you notice that your words are tearing instead of sharpening, it may be time to step back and seek counsel again. Go back to someone who can help sharpen your edge. Return to the iron that sharpens iron. Allow that healthy friction to take place again.

Personally, I’ll admit something: I don’t like sharpening knives by hand. I use an electric sharpener because the sound of steel grinding against steel bothers me. It irritates me and even makes me feel nauseous.

But the sharpening that happens in the Kingdom of God is different.

I can handle the sharpening of leaders. I can handle the sharpening of God’s people. That kind of sharpening brings life.

Still, whenever friction begins—whenever something starts rubbing—we have to make a choice. We must choose to understand why we are communicating. I have to choose to understand why I’m speaking with you. I have to remind myself that perhaps God is aligning something in your life—or even in mine.

When someone comes to you, you must learn how to speak rightly in that moment.

Yes, misunderstandings will happen. Often we start the process dull, and we are trying to sharpen the edge together. Sometimes clarity doesn’t come immediately. Sometimes it takes sitting with someone for an hour or two while they talk with you, counsel you, and bring understanding. In those moments, the blade begins to sharpen, and clarity comes suddenly.

Sharpening takes time. Sharpening takes humility. And sharpening always requires a ,process.