If you know me at all, you know that I love words. I studied communications. I love reading books. I deeply enjoy having conversations with friends over coffee (+ tacos!). If intentional conversations were a love language, it would be mine!
The other week, I was leading Bible study (we’re going through James which tells Christians what their lives should look like now that they are believers) and I was convicted.
Words matter to us. Words also matter to God. He gave us the Bible – 66 books -full of thousands of words. Take a look at what the author of Hebrews says in 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Our words are powerful. James compares our tongues to the rudder of a ship and to a tiny spark that lights an entire forest ablaze with fire in James 3.
Do you know how tiny a spark is? Of course you do, but have you ever thought about that in comparison to your words?
You have the natural ability to create with your words.
- Forgiveness builds healing.
- Honesty builds trust.
- Apologizing builds healing.
- Encouragement builds confidence.
On the contrast, you have the ability to destroy with your words.
Gossip/slander destroys character.
- Gossip + slander destroys character.
- Criticism destroys confidence and relationships.
- Grumbling destroys unity.
Did you catch that? Go read those lists again. We have to be careful that we only use our words to create and not to destroy.
Luke 6:45 tells us that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Friend, we must carefully guard our hearts, and intentionally fill fill them with truth. How do we do this? We must meditate on Scripture (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 63:6, 1 Timothy 4:13-15, Psalm 119:97-9, Proverbs 4:10-22).
Remember this truth: the heart cannot love what the mind does not know. Commit today to fill your minds with things that are lovely + God honoring so that when we speak, we speak grace filled words of truth that are sprinkled with salt (Colossians 4:6).
Philippians 4:8, says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Take heart in the fact that James spends so much time addressing the sin of the tongue because it means that God is willing and able to work with you and to sanctify you! Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. If you are redeemed you will become more and more pure in your speech! Praise the Lord for that!
Reflection Questions:
Where can you speak words that create this week? Who most needs encouragement spoken to them?