Words
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23
How often do you think about the words that come out of your mouth?
We live in a world where people want a response ASAP. A world that doesn't like awkward pauses. Let me ask this, since when did it become awkward to think about what you're going to say?
Words are such a powerful tool! How often we underestimate their power.
I'm the kind of person who can be super quiet, and then on the other extreme I'm super crazy and loud and there tends to be no filter on my mouth. Whatever pops into my head comes out. Then later I look back and regret all the foolish things I said.
"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." Proverbs 17:28
How many of you have said something you regret? It's not a good feeling.
Why is it so hard to think before you speak? I'd say one reason is that it's not "normal" to pause during a conversation, even if you don't have anything to say. You're not sure what to say next? How about some conversation filler that has no meaning whatsoever and doesn't profit anything. Except to make us feel better, because we don't want to have to be with another human being if something isn't being said. Wait, what?
And not only being careless with our words, but also the meaning and purpose of our words!
If our words aren't profitable, edifying, God-glorifying, and meaningful, then why say anything?? I'm NOT saying we should walk around with our Bibles and smack people who talk about the weather. It is perfectly fine to talk about other things. In fact, it's pretty essential for communication and existing with other human beings!
BUT.
What are our intentions with the words we speak? Is there any meaning? Do they have a purpose, and what IS that purpose?
Are you intentional with your words?? Or are you like those toys at the store where you push a button and they never stop!
Lately I've just been struck with the frivolity of so many conversations that I have! Too often I lack the seriousness I need. Granted there is "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:4 Not everything should be sackcloth and ashes, but you do need to discern which is which, and know when to be serious. I think maybe, just maybe, we spend too much time being funny and joking, and not enough time being serious about the Lord and focusing our conversations around Him.
I think we have a problem with idle conversation, a problem with not being serious when we ought to be, a problem with speaking before thinking, a problem with being caught up in what is unimportant, a problem with lacking self-control, a problem with not having any depth to us, a problem with being sinful.
So be wise. THINK before you speak. Weigh your words, are they profitable? Build up. Be kind. Say what needs to be said. Be silent when you don't have to speak. Think of what is pure. Be intentional with your words. Have a reason behind your speech. And don't gossip. *whew* Being perfect is pretty overwhelming and literally impossible. But hey! Good news! If we were able to be perfect in all that God commands us to do, then we would get all the glory and it would be all about us and how good we did. I'm pretty confident that God gives us commands in His word that are impossible for us to do, so that we can only do it in His power and strength and not our own. Because it's all about HIM and not about us.
So if taming your tongue seems like an impossible task, or you don't know how to harness yourself and have self-control, don't worry! Don't give up. Bring your problems before the Lord. Go to His word, rest in His strength, power, and grace. Knowing that you will fail, you will never measure up on your own, but through Christ we are more than conquerors!
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" Proverbs 21:23
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:18
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" Ephesians 4:29
"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." Proverbs 25:28
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4
"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3:8-12
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" Luke 6:45
"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom." Proverbs 10:19-21
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornication, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them." Ephesians 5:1-7
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Just remember, words are strong and powerful. Don't take the responsibility of being able to speak lightly.
How often do you think about the words that come out of your mouth?
We live in a world where people want a response ASAP. A world that doesn't like awkward pauses. Let me ask this, since when did it become awkward to think about what you're going to say?
Words are such a powerful tool! How often we underestimate their power.
I'm the kind of person who can be super quiet, and then on the other extreme I'm super crazy and loud and there tends to be no filter on my mouth. Whatever pops into my head comes out. Then later I look back and regret all the foolish things I said.
"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." Proverbs 17:28
How many of you have said something you regret? It's not a good feeling.
Why is it so hard to think before you speak? I'd say one reason is that it's not "normal" to pause during a conversation, even if you don't have anything to say. You're not sure what to say next? How about some conversation filler that has no meaning whatsoever and doesn't profit anything. Except to make us feel better, because we don't want to have to be with another human being if something isn't being said. Wait, what?
And not only being careless with our words, but also the meaning and purpose of our words!
If our words aren't profitable, edifying, God-glorifying, and meaningful, then why say anything?? I'm NOT saying we should walk around with our Bibles and smack people who talk about the weather. It is perfectly fine to talk about other things. In fact, it's pretty essential for communication and existing with other human beings!
BUT.
What are our intentions with the words we speak? Is there any meaning? Do they have a purpose, and what IS that purpose?
Are you intentional with your words?? Or are you like those toys at the store where you push a button and they never stop!
Lately I've just been struck with the frivolity of so many conversations that I have! Too often I lack the seriousness I need. Granted there is "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:4 Not everything should be sackcloth and ashes, but you do need to discern which is which, and know when to be serious. I think maybe, just maybe, we spend too much time being funny and joking, and not enough time being serious about the Lord and focusing our conversations around Him.
I think we have a problem with idle conversation, a problem with not being serious when we ought to be, a problem with speaking before thinking, a problem with being caught up in what is unimportant, a problem with lacking self-control, a problem with not having any depth to us, a problem with being sinful.
So be wise. THINK before you speak. Weigh your words, are they profitable? Build up. Be kind. Say what needs to be said. Be silent when you don't have to speak. Think of what is pure. Be intentional with your words. Have a reason behind your speech. And don't gossip. *whew* Being perfect is pretty overwhelming and literally impossible. But hey! Good news! If we were able to be perfect in all that God commands us to do, then we would get all the glory and it would be all about us and how good we did. I'm pretty confident that God gives us commands in His word that are impossible for us to do, so that we can only do it in His power and strength and not our own. Because it's all about HIM and not about us.
So if taming your tongue seems like an impossible task, or you don't know how to harness yourself and have self-control, don't worry! Don't give up. Bring your problems before the Lord. Go to His word, rest in His strength, power, and grace. Knowing that you will fail, you will never measure up on your own, but through Christ we are more than conquerors!
"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" Proverbs 21:23
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:18
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" Ephesians 4:29
"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." Proverbs 25:28
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4
"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3:8-12
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" Luke 6:45
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornication, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them." Ephesians 5:1-7
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Just remember, words are strong and powerful. Don't take the responsibility of being able to speak lightly.
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