Just a couple days ago, I was wounded by someone’s words. Hopefully you’re not as sensitive and proud as me; but I’m sure you can relate to the destructive power of speech . . . unless, of course, you pass your days in solitude in a mountaintop convent or a submerged submarine.
As I wiped my tears away, I picked up Nancy DeMoss’ four-week devotional booklet titled The Power of Words, and found my perspective changing as I read this:
“‘Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips’ (Psalm 141:3).
“. . . Notice where the guard is posted. Not at the ear—to protect us from being hurt by words we might hear, or at the heart—to shield us from the wounds that are sometimes caused by what others do. Rather, the Psalmist asked God to post a sentinel at his own mouth knowing that the greatest danger he faced was not what others might do to him, but rather, what he might say that would harm others . . . (page 32)”
Hmmm . . . I began to wonder, “How meek is my speech? (Remember, meekness is mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit.)
• Am I quick to hurry people along so I can get back to my schedule and tasks?
• Do I subtly put people down or build them up when talking about them to others?
• Do I seek to assume the best about people, or do I convict them of ill-will in my thoughts?
• Do I regularly speak words of life and encouragement to those I live and work with?
If you’re like me, you might feel like a failure in this area. Thankfully, meekness is a fruit of the Spirit. No kidding! Check out Galatians 5:22-23. You and I don’t have to labor to produce it—it’s a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit in our lives when we crucify the flesh and allow Him to live through us. Rock on!
By His power, we can actively put Philippians 4:8 into practice by thinking thoughts that are “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.” The result will be words that give grace, strength, and encouragement to others (see Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Peter 3:8-10).
Nancy recommends trying these phrases out on the people closest to us: I love you . . . I’m praying for you . . . I’m so proud of you . . . I’m sorry I treated you that way . . . Would you please forgive me?. . . I appreciate you . . . You’re such a blessing!
Take a moment to pray some of these verses into your life. Then, encourage someone else with a kind word, and let us know how it goes!
Comments
*The following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.
thank you, May God bless you in this ministry abundantly and help each and every one who reads or listens to this program
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7:44 am
Its power is mighty
To bless or to curse
It can make you feel better
It can make you feel worse
It’s compared to a serpent, a viper, a snake
I have total control
Unless I’m awake
Tho it’s small as a bit
Or a ship’s tiny rudder
The words it can say
Can make your heart shudder
Gossip & nagging
Praises and hymns
How can this thing
Do all on a whim?
Be wise in the way
You speak to others
Remember in Christ
They’re our sisters and brothers.
Let the light of Christ Show on your face.
Let your words be seasoned with love & grace.
Thru Christ you have power whether written or sung.
Take hold of the bridle or be hung by the tongue!
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 might benefit htose who listen. Eph 4:29
Lisa Simmons January 07
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7:46 am
Lisa - Wow! Thanks for sharing! Very creative and VERY accurate! ~~~sigh~~~
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10:00 am
Yes, Lord...set a guard at my lips!
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10:30 am
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:27 am
I’m glad to know I’m not alone.
Father, thank you that we belong fully to You. That our tongues are yours. Let us only speak your words, as Jesus did when He was on this earth. Build up your people through our words! Help us to grow in this area.
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:08 pm
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:08 pm
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Ladies, Please pray for me. I have an opportunity to help with a Bible Study in a public workplace. I was approached today by a co-worker and asked to participate in a Bible study here at work. Please pray that God would give me courage and wisdom to speak His Words. We have a lot of hungry hearts and I want to be a vessel used of God to feed them.
God bless.
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I was so sad but rather than defend myself, I went to the
Lord. He took care of it. I am super sensitive but I learned
that God will always take care of us.
on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 5:28 pm
This post was just what I needed this morning! Praise the Lord for His goodness. I needed to be reminded to keep my thoughts and words pure in a situation where it seems I've been judged wrongly, and continue to pray rather than pout. And continue to look to the Lord for His wisdom! Amen! Thank you for sharing those scriptures, Paula, and for the meekness reminder (-:
I loved Lisa's poem! So true.
May the Lord bless you friends in Christ!
In His love,
on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 8:34 am
on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 9:03 am
on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 10:13 am
Thank you for your very timely example to all of us of entrusting yourself to the One who judges faithfully.
I'm praying that you will continue to run into Him (your Strong Tower) and be safe in the midst of these current situations.
on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 10:15 am
God bless, Nicki
on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 1:07 pm
on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 10:37 am
on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 7:07 pm
on Monday, July 26, 2010 at 9:43 am