What we say, flows from what is in our heart. Wow. That's a deep one the ponder! What we speak to our loved ones, to our friends, even to our enemies...or what we say about people...comes from what is in our hearts. For me personally, there are days when I reach the end of my day and I am on my knee's praying to Father God...and He reveals to me, in gentleness and love, my errors that day. I see how the words I speak over and about people are like "darts in the spirit". If you can picture this with me for a moment. When I say something uplifting, kind, loving and build that person up with my words...It's like I shoot an arrow of love at them with my words. The arrow hits them and it is life giving. In the same sense, I say something bad , tear them down with my words, curse them even...and the arrow I shoot hits them and it is like poison. It is not life giving. These arrows break down, the person and the relationship I have with them. And the negative words build up a wall between us slowly over time. It's like each word I say, each word someone else says..slowly builds the brick wall and before I know it, that person cannot be reached any longer. And, what am I doing to that person by saying those things about them?
Think I am crazy? Let's take this and test it against God's Word. For that is the best and only way to know if what someone is talking about, is in fact a Godly thought. Check this out :
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit"-Proverbs 18: 21
and another translation ( I like this one):
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences"-same passage
Can it be put any clearer then this? God says in His Holy Word to us...that our tongue (our mouths and what we say) "CAN BRING DEATH OR LIFE"! Your words and what you say about your spouse, your children, yourSELF...can bring either death , or life.
Another passage:
"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."-Prov. 18:21
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."(Matthew 12:36-37)
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." (James 3:9-12)
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (Matthew 12:26)
Ok, I don't know about you, but I think I get what God is trying to stress to us here. Do you see now how ..our words about ourselves, other people...can either build them up or tear them down? This is not a joke or something to be taken lightly. This is a serious matter to God. And to be completely honest with you...I do struggle with this at times! Please know that this is not something we can do on our own. This is only something that we can do in teamwork with God. We confess and ask Him to work in us and change our HEARTS. It really does start with what is in your heart. If your heart has bitterness, unforgivness or anything of darkness in it...then perhaps that is why those life stealing words come out of our mouths. But, this is not hopeless friends! We just ask God to "search our hearts" and to reveal these ways in us and the darkness in our hearts. We may not even realize it. But, Holy Spirit will show you. He has shown me..and I confess them, I ask forgiveness and ask God to keep changing me and working in me. God's refining process in you won't be easy. You are going to face some UGLY parts of yourself..as I do almost daily. I hate when those sides come up..but I try to remember that it's simply God getting that smut and foulness out of my heart. Once God gets that out of you and you keep giving it to him (don't hold onto your bitterness and anger because then, it will be tougher for God to change your heart..let it go!) but once it's out..He can then change your heart. And one day, you will realize..."Wow, I didn't realize this but, I have not been gossiping as much for the past few weeks!" That's because you let those dark sides go to God! You aloud Him to work in your heart and create you to be more like His son, Jesus. He is changing you and me, but remember , we have a part in that too. You can't hold on. You must let go to Him. As He works that stuff out of your heart, you will begin to be more aware of the words you say about others. You are not perfect so don't be hard on yourself if you mess up a few days.Just keep giving it to Him. Probably means there is some more filth to clean out of your heart. More and more, you will speak life giving words and you will WANT to speak life words. When others start gossiping or speaking those negative words, you will notice it. You will be spiritually aware of what they are saying, or even of what you are saying. Have peace and joy knowing that is because God is changing your heart!! As you speak more life giving words over your family, yourself and others...pay attention to what happens with those relationships. Is your marriage improving? Are your children starting to act a little more respectful? Did your diagnosis from the test you had come back that everything is ok? Not kidding here. And, if you think this is some hocus pocus non-sense, go to God's word. Remember, this is a serious matter to God. You will see that as you read His word.
As I close today, I encourage you with this scripture that I always go back to when I am struggling with this. It comes from the book of Ephesians Chapter 4.
"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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
The words in italics are the ones I focus on most. Say only what is HELPFUL in buidling others up. Lets build up love and tear down hate with our words.
In Christ's Never Ending Love,
~M ~
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