As we approach Christmas and the time of year everyone seems to get nicer, why not stop and think about the things you say and how they affect the hearer. Do your words bring joy or sorrow? Do they bring love or hatred? Do they build up or tear down? Are they mean or kind? Are they truthful or a bunch of lies? Do they show respect or sarcasm? Do you say curse words and speak ugly about people? That mouth of ours is worthy of at least a devotion per week. As mentioned previously, it says in James chapter 3 that "no man can tame the tongue".
Would you rather be known as a complainer and gossip or a person who encourages and helps bring hope and joy? I believe most of us know the correct answer to that question. Here we are in the 'nice happy season' where people go overboard to show kindness so maybe practice taming the tongue during the Christmas season and have it carry over on into 2012.
Proverbs 13:3 says "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Are you careful what you say? James 3:2 says "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." Everyone has messed up with their mouth at one time or another. We just need to try to get better with God's help. Psalm 141:3 says "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. " That is one powerful prayer we maybe should all repeat every day. Proverbs 16:24 speaking of healing words says "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 10:14 says "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin". Proverbs 18:21 says "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit".
Are your words producing good fruit? If not why not start today to be careful what you say and how you say it. Ask God to deliver you from bad speech if you are having trouble in this area. Matthew 12:37 says "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Proverbs 21:23 says "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." A good verse to end on is Ephesians 4:29 and perhaps it should be committed to memory and put into practice. It says "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".
PRAYER: This Christmas season and all throughout the year I want to say pleasant things. The saying "if you can not say anything good do not say anything at all" is so true. Father if I have hurt anyone with my words forgive me and I pray the people have forgiven me. I want to glorify you and bring healing with my words. In Jesus Name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment