Today you will say between 6,000 and 15,000 words! Words, on average, spill out of us at the rate of about 100 to 150 per minute. Much of what we say is of little consequence, just making the way through the day. “Fill it with regular, please,” we NJ residents say to the attendant at the fuel pump. (The rest of you will have to pump your own gas.) “Six creams, no sugar,” is my order at the coffee shop. “Hi, nice day, isn’t it?” we remark to the person getting out the car next to ours in the parking lot, as a polite nod to them.
Then, there are those words of deep meaning – “Tell me about it, I really do care” – is weighted with concern. The simple phrase “I love you” when spoken from the heart bathes us with comfort. When I know it is a sincere promise I love to hear these words – “I’m praying for you.”
So how are you using your gift of words?
You can enhance someone’s reputation with a single sentence
and, just as quickly, cast a dark shadow.
You can encourage someone who is crushed by sorrow.
You can point someone along the way with wise words.
You can break a heart with cruel words.
You can bring light to darkness with truthful words.
With a little shift in tone or choice of adjectives we can turn a suspicion into an accusation. A reputation built over a lifetime can be destroyed overnight. A friendship can be ripped apart with just a phrase. A church can be sent into division with a couple of half-truths.
James, pastor of First Church in Jerusalem teaches us the power of those words in our mouth. "We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." (James 3:2-5, NLT)
Our words can do great good.
A coach’s words can inspire a team to victory!
A leader with vision can paint a picture of the future
for those who listen using only words.
A friend can speak just the right word to us
at the point of our quitting and spur us to finish the job!
The Proverb says these words are like beautiful jewelry, "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
Christian, let’s go beyond just being 'nice' or ‘clean’ in our words. Yes, of course, we need to guard against profance, filthy, or damning words when we speak. That’s a no brainer. When the Spirit of God is invited to live in us, transforming us on the inside, what comes of our mouth will be soul nourishing, truthful, encouraging, loving, and edifying to others.
We cannot just put a gate at our lips, we ask God to make the source pure and to give us self-awareness and self-control. Jesus says this: "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." (Matthew 12:34-35, NIV) When we are filled with the Spirit what overflows from us will be a 'river of living water!' Oh yes, our words are the great revealers of the content of our heart, no question about it.
Christ’s challenge to us does not mean that we must always say nice, positive, affirming things. Ever had to deal with a person whose insincerity is evident? It is soon clear that they do not really mean what they are saying. It’s an act, a script, a phony front that will collapse under a bit of pressure.
Check your words today. If you find self-interest, gossip, half-truths, innuendo, and criticism popping up in those 15,000 words you speak, go to the Lord. Confess the sin and seek the change. Ask Him for a heart that is filled with truth and love so that the words you speak will be the same. This is the command of the Lord- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV
The word from the Word is my prayer. Is it yours?
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Sing them over again to me
Wonderful words of life
Let me more of their beauty see
Wonderful words of life
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Christ the blessed One gives to all
Wonderful words of life
Sinner list’ to the loving call
Wonderful words of life
All so freely given
Wooing us to Heaven
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Sweetly echo the gospel call
Wonderful words of life
Offer pardon and peace to all
Wonderful words of life
Jesus only Savior
Sanctify forever
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Beautiful words wonderful words
Wonderful words of life
Philip Paul Bliss Public Domain
No comments:
Post a Comment