TOUCHING GENTLY!

TOUCHING GENTLY!

Phil 1:9-11

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

George H. Morrison describes “tact” as “The grace of touching others gently”. This seems to be the meaning of verse 9 above in which Paul prays that the Philippians love would grow both in knowledge and “all judgment.”

The Greek word for judgment is aisthesis which means “perception” or “discernment.” The Amplified New Testament translates it as “keen insight.”  The etymology of our English word “tact” is from the French which has the meaning of having a “sense of touch.” The Latin is tactus from tangere to touch. It means “a keen sense of what to do or say to keep good relations with others.”

Verse 10 holds a clue where we read that Paul desired that they may be both “sincere and without offence.” The ability to be both sincere and inoffensive requires tact!

Verse 11 shows the product of this elusive quality of temperament. It is the fruits of righteousness which brings glory to God. We have all been the victim of someone who bombastically says what they mean without regard to the sensibilities of others. These folks are usually proud of their unvarnished lack of tact but their lives are empty of those righteous fruits. They are often friendless.

Tact is more than diplomacy. It has its roots in love.

Father, give me today the grace of touching others gently. Provide the fruits of righteousness in me that would bring glory to you. AMEN