Comforting And Consoling Words: They Are Not Solutions
James 2
KJV
15+ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
I was having a conversation with someone about an article I wrote on “condolences. “In that article, I made the point that “condolences “ are mere words expressing the wishes and thoughts of the sender. They are not solutions to the challenges faced by the bereaved.
The thoughts I expressed are what James has also captured in the verses you’ve just read! Comforting and consoling words are not the solution to any problem, need, or challenge faced by anybody!
They are what they are “ comforting and consoling!”Words.
What James is saying is, to put it bluntly “ Words don’t fill the stomach of a hungry man, Words don’t put cloth on a naked man!
Yes, Words have their time and place, they act as “ soothing balm “ to a wounded person but are not the cure. It is like saying “ I am sorry “ to someone you’ve hurt or wronged. As I’ve written before, sorry does not heal or correct the wrong it only soothes the pain inflicted by the wrong done.
Beloved it is important we draw the line between words and actions. Actions we are told, speak louder than words. This is not to say words don’t “ speak” they do, but “actions” speak much louder, and it is the loudest sound that people hear and pay attention to.
Many a time, members bring their requests /problems/challenges etc to the church, seeking solutions; all they get is “ comforting and consoling Words “these are expressed or communicated through prayers!
This is the very scene James described above, he probably may have observed a congregation at a midweek prayer session! Two members stood up to mention their needs or predicaments.
And as usual, brother Q was asked to pray for them! And it ended there!
Brethren in Christ, let us wake up to the Realities Of Truth, there are many suffering from the disappointments we have inflicted on them by only speaking “ comforting and consoling “ Words To Them in their hour of need devoid of any action whatsoever
A concern to raise! A solution to share! A charge to keep I have. My calling to fulfil.
He who hath ears to hear let him hear! Soon we shall all stand in the witness box to be cross-examined, so put your Acts together.