When I was a teenager, I had a poster that hung on my bedroom wall that said something like:
“Christians are like teabags. You find out what they’re like when you put them in hot water.” (Unknown author)
I thought it meant that the sinfulness in us comes out when we are plunged into “hot water” (such as aggravations and insults from others), and I didn’t think about it much further than that until recently.
But if it means what I had thought it did, why does it say “Christians”? If it was talking about our base human nature, then all people would be like teabags, not just Christians, for we all have attitudes that are not pleasing to God and that we find difficult to hide when push comes to shove.
I like tea. Well, I like certain teas, but others, not so much. And most of the teas I like are so much better with a little sweetener of some kind. But tea is actually good for you in that it has different tannins and nutrients that we don’t get in many other foods that we eat. The fact that it doesn’t necessarily taste wonderful without sweetener does not mean that it is not good for us.
So, it is possible for Christians who are walking with the Lord as they should be to turn the hot water around them into a healthful drink by their godly words, actions, and reactions. And we can also make it more palatable by using the sweeteners of love, kindness, and showing honor.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Proverbs 16:21 BSB
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 ESV
Is it possible for Christians and non-Christians to turn the hot water around them into something unhealthy? Yes, of course! Nowadays there is a glut of prideful, hateful words that bring ill health to the soul.
We cannot control what other people do or say, but we ourselves
can choose to be
light in the darkness,
a source of health in the spiritual sickness around us,
a planter of seeds of love and of kindness.
When Jesus commanded obedience, it was for our good and for the good of those in our sphere of influence.
Can you imagine how we could turn this present darkness into light simply by speaking and writing more words that are:
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gracious,
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gentle,
-
kind,
-
encouraging,
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thankful,
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praiseworthy,
-
good,
-
loving,
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peacemaking,
-
patient,
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understanding,
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respectful,
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humble, and
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self-controlled?
God wants us to be a part of the solution, not of the problem, and He will help His children by His Holy Spirit that indwells them.
Today I’m thankful that God’s Spirit in the hearts of His children makes possible the infusion of spiritual health and nourishment into the lives of those around us.
I’m thankful for the “hot water” of trials that He allows in our lives, even though they are not pleasant experiences at the time.
I’m thankful that He is willing and able to overflow His precious love from our hearts to those around us.
I’m thankful for sweet, life-giving words.
I’m thankful to be privileged to receive His light and to share it with others.
What about you? Where are you on your journey of learning to speak light, life, and health into others? Do you enjoy hearing those sweet words from others? Do you try to practice saying sweet words to others? Don’t give up if you’ve failed. Get up, ask God for help, and try again.
Great analogy on how we impact those around us. Good words to ponder.
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Thank you, CG! Yes, may we impact them for His glory! God bless you. Have a good week!
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I love this, Ruth! What will hot water bring out in me? I pray that my words are what God can use to bring health and direction to others in a loving way.
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Thank you! Yes, Amen and me too! 😊
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Praying my words would be sweet enough to overpower those hot water moments! Great post and beautiful scripture to pair up!
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Yes, at the molecular level–sweet tea! 😊
Thank you, Alicia!
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I love this analogy!
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Thank you! I hope all is well with you and yours. 💖
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Oh the ‘oh water of trials’, sometimes I wish I was better prepared 😂😅but God will never give us more than we are able.
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He “will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 May we keep our eyes open, looking for His promised help!
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Amen 🙏🏽
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I love this!
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💖💖😊
Thanks!
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I love tea and your analogy of adding sweetness through kindness and love. Wonderful post Ruth. Thanks for sharing 🍵
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Tina!! So good to “see” you again!
Thanks for reading and for your encouraging words! 🍵🍶
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I love this analogy, not a big tea drinker but what will the hot water bring out in me. I pray that it is love, in Jesus Name amen. Thanks, love it 🙂
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Amen, and me too!
You’re welcome, and thank you! 😊
Have a blessed day!
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Hot water trials, I like the way you put that. God certainly does put us through a lot of those. But they are good for us!
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Thank you! Yes, He does! And yes, they are. God bless!
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There are many things to be thankful for. He indeed is a father to us.
Do stay safe and be good in Him. 🤗
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Yes, there are. Amen!
Thank you, and you, too!
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If we practice all the attributes you mention when we’re NOT in hot water, I think we might fare better when circumstances turn up the heat. Thank you, Ruth, for a thoughtful post, and a memorable visual aid–tea bags!
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Yes, you’re right! Sorry I didn’t see this sooner.
You’re welcome! God bless you and yours!
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Scripture shows us that Christians are to grow in trials. Perseverance , hope, endurance, faith, etc. These are fruits from trials, which is a humbling blessing. I think you have the right idea. Trials will tempt the flesh, but trials can encourage the spirit to thrive in Christ.
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Yes! Thank you for reminding us of this scripture:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-8 (BSB)
May God continually bless you as you continue to grow in Him.
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Amen, thank you for looking up the scripture and sharing ❤
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No problem! It’s always nice to refresh ones’ memory of such beautiful passages.
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Yes! I have some more to add. ❤
I was thinking of Romans 5:01-05, “ 1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, wea have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faithb into this grace in which we stand, and wec rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
And
James 1:02-03, “ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.“
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Amen! I had forgotten about that one in Romans. Thanks for sharing!
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