When a seasoned SWAT team veteran was training me, he gave me some sage advice, “Always keep a spare grenade pin handy. You may need it to make the grenade safe again if an active situation changes direction.” I still have that spare grenade pin somewhere in my old SWAT gear.
SWAT units carry percussion grenades to stun perpetrators and smoke grenades to provide concealment as the team initiates movement. These are useful tools to employ at the right time and in the right circumstances. They save lives when used properly. As believers, we can toss the grenade of an undisciplined opinion at the wrong time and in the wrong situation stunning people or creating the smoke of confusion.
We need to hold onto our emotional grenade pins now more than ever. In our frustration at what we see taking place in our world, it is too easy to pull the pin on a comment and toss away the pin of wisdom in our undisciplined passion for doing or saying something. It is dangerous to be led by our emotions and not by the Spirit.
If you have pulled the pin on an emotional opinion ready to toss it into the next conversation you have, make sure the Lord is giving you permission to add that opinion to the fray. Always hold on to the pin of self-control, especially in the heat of spiritual battle when the lives of those held captive are depending on the wisdom of your comment and its Spirit-led timing to set them free.
Well said.
A friend of mine reminded me that “not all open doors” are meant for us to walk through. (I.e., Paul was in prison, God opened the doors… but they weren’t meant for Paul to escape.)
Timing is important. We might have an opening in a conversation; however, only The Holy Spirit can inform us if it’s the right comment and at the right time.
Be blessed.
Eph 1:3