Bible Ballistics: BBs #439   Watch MY Words, Really???

 

We talk about the right to “Free Speech” in our country, and while we do have the “Freedom” of “Speech”, speech isn’t free. Speech comes with a cost! The words we choose to use—out loud—do have a cost: a cost to our relationships; a cost to the feelings of others; a cost to the influence that we bear and how it affects others–either for the good or for the worse; a cost of honor or shame; a cost of attention-be it good or bad attention. Yet our speech is often used without thought or regard for the effect of our words—we just don’t always ‘Think’ before we ‘speak’. So I’d just like us to take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves to, as a favorite secular proverb says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet, you never know, which ones you’ll eat!”

Our tongue can spread great joy and goodwill, or we can change the air around us with our lack of wisdom and self-control.

“If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”   James 1:26

Our words reveal to others who we really are and what we believe and feel. Jesus told us about this very thing.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”             Matthew 15:18-19

What we choose to speak with our “mouth” in reality will “come forth from the heart”; and while we may smile and say, “I’m just joking!”, people will eventually see that our motives are often less than pure! We who are following Jesus ought to speak out of a heart full of love for Him and others. And God’s love always does that which is best for the recipient! After all, He gave us the standard, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbor as thyself”! And we all know that while the children shout “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” it is far from true, and “words” do hurt—often to the depth of the soul. So we ought to be careful how we use our words, for love makes a difference! James had a lot to say about the tongue.

“Even so the tongue is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8 

How about you and me? Are our words poison or blessing—are we uplifting others or putting them down? We are called to be a blessing to the world, not poison!

“Finally, be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:8-11

So may we each go forth today and render blessings with our words—never compromising the truth–but calling others to the cross, to the Savior who loves them so much that He gave His life for our salvation!!! May our words spread the peace of God with the world around us, rather than discord!

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:7-9

So “think on these things” today, and each day………and speak accordingly!!!

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14

Amen and Amen!!!