June 27, 2021 THE WORDS WE SPEAK
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word that is good for the edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Colossians 3:8, 4:6 “But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 18:21, 10:20, 16:24 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” “The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little.” “Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
James 1:26 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
Everyone would agree that the words we speak are powerful. I am sure that we have all said words we wish we could take back. There is an important truth that we must understand if we are to avoid speaking words that tear down-and that is that our words flow from our heart. Since the words we speak, the attitudes and thoughts we have, come from the heart, if our heart is right-then our words will be right. Now here is the deal: it is clear from the scriptures that God has given us a new heart, but it is possible for a believer to live out of his or her old heart. This is why it is so important for believers to know their true identity as sons and daughters of God-to know that they do have a new heart, a new mind, and a new spirit-and that they can live out of the new person they are. If we get this part right, then the problem of speaking wrong words is solved. To live out of the new person that God has made us is a choice we make; to live out of our newness is to walk according to the Spirit. We can at any given moment stop walking according to the Spirit, and when we do, we are apt to speak words and have thoughts and attitudes that are not pleasing to the Lord. Speaking words that are harmful and unwholesome reflects the fact that we do not respect the one to whom we are speaking. In the world it is a part of life to speak harsh, unwholesome words; but we are not of this world. There are times when we must speak the truth and address certain issues, but we are to speak the truth in love and in humility with the best interest of the other person in mind. As believers, let us choose continually to walk according to the Spirit so that the words we speak will bring grace to others. Not only can words tear down; the words we speak can also build up and bring healing, encouragement, and hope.
Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed