That song by Toby Mac has been going through my head all day. We are in times when that is more important than ever. Its ugly out there with words, have you noticed? People are offended, hurt, and angry wherever you go. Everywhere you look there is division of some kind.
When we buy into all this fighting, either by our own words, or posts on social media or just gossiping and re-hashing the latest stories; we are doing the enemy’s job for him. All he has to do is plant a thought here, a lie there, an angry word-and boom. He’s managed to steal our peace, steal our joy and in some cases steal our relationships. And we helped him do it.
We need to be smarter than that and rise above all the anger, bitterness and hatred. Our words are so important and not something we can take lightly. The Bible has a lot to say about our words and their effect. In Matthew 12 Jesus says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If we are speaking evil of others what does that tell us then about what is in our hearts?
He continues in Matt 12: 36-37 to say: But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Yikes. That really makes you want to think before you speak doesn’t it? It’s so very easy to get caught up in conversations that are going places you don’t want to go. How many times in a day do we say something only to wish moments later that we could take it back?
Proverbs 18:21 tells us: The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. We can speak life just as easily as we can speak death. When we speak God’s Word over ourselves and our circumstances we are always speaking life. A good scripture to declare everyday-or when you know you are going to be in one of those situations, is Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
It is not just a suggestion that we watch what we speak. Over and over in the Bible we have instruction as to how we should speak and the power of our words. In the book of James he tells us plainly how dangerous the tongue can be. James 3:5-6: Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Can’t get much clearer than that can you? We see it evidenced every day if we look at the news and how quickly words can cause issues. Why on earth would we want to participate with words that cause harm? You know that old saying your mother used to say? If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all! That’s still good advice!
When the Lord created the universe and all that there is, He spoke it into existence. When we speak God’s Word with our mouths we have the power to do the same thing. We can speak life into our families and our homes. Speak life into our jobs, our finances and everything concerning us.
Instead of speaking bad things and curses over your life turn God’s Word into declarations to declare good things over your life and families.
Instead of saying things like; my children aren’t walking with the Lord, they don’t do what they are supposed to. You can say, Thank You Lord, that all my children are taught of You and great is their peace and undisturbed composure.
Instead of saying, I can’t pay my mortgage this month, I don’t know why I’m always broke, say; thank You Lord that you meet all my needs according to Your riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Thank You that I’m the head and not the tail I’m above and not beneath. I come behind in no good thing and all that I set my hand to prospers.
If your problem is that your mouth gets ahead of your brain, and you have been known to speak unkind things, try saying; Thank You Lord that You have given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. Thank You for the guard you set over my mouth.
You get the picture. Find a scripture that you can use for your situation and speak it out. There are promise books galore out there that will give you scriptures on just about every subject you can think on.
Lets purpose to be life-speakers this week and always. Refuse to participate in that argument at work that solves nothing; or in your home. And whatever you do don’t join in those conversations where they are talking about how everyone in the place is getting sick, you just know you will get it. Keep your mouth closed, don’t go there! Don’t speak that curse over yourself. Yes, all this might be hard. Especially if you are new to it. It takes practice. But at the end of the day you will feel so much better when you don’t have to repent for your words.
And hey, if you get a chance, check out Toby Mac’s song, Speak Life, to be further inspired. I will leave you with a verse.
Raise your thoughts a little higher,
Use your words to inspire,
Joy will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the things you say.
Are Your Shoes Tied? 