Sharp truth

Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18 NLT

Is there any who can not see themselves in these words, at one time or another?

God’s Word cuts through our excuses for ungodly behavior and reveals the truth of what these attitudes are:

lies and foolishness.

Rather, we must be on guard against allowing such things in our lives and be quick to repent when they are discovered among us.

For our tongues are to be under submission to the Lord Jesus.

When they are not we bring ridicule to our Savior.

James 3:9-10 NKJV — With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

If we are followers of Christ Jesus, our actions, our attitudes, and our words need to be in line with what God says is His expectation for His children.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV — Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And it is a wonderful gift for us, the children of God, to teach us, admonish us, encourage us, and to bring us life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth, direction, guidance, and correction we find in Your scriptures. Lord, please help us to read, understand, and accurately apply Your truths daily. Lord, our lives often get bogged down in the muck of our sin and the more of a sinful world. Lord, please help us be on guard against sin and to repent quickly when we have sinned. Lord, please place a guard over our lips that we might not curse our fellow man nor mock another of Your creation nor slander or neighbor. Lord, please keep us from bring dishonor to Your name by walking in ways which are counter to Your character. Lord, please teach us how to love well, to live selflessly, and to be totally surrendered to You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Why complain?

Lamentations 3:39 NKJV — Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins?

No one has to teach a child to complain.

Mankind’s flesh seems bent on verbalizing those things that do not please.

Yet, how many circumstances which one feels the need to vent are not simply a consequence of sin?

At times, the occasion is caused by one’s own sin and at times, others.

Do we have the right to verbally air our grievances in the form of complaining?

Are we not equally guilty of sin?

After all, complaining does little to resolve anything, and is often a tool to divide.

Has anyone desired to spend more time with a person whose complaints are frequent?

Complaining tears down.

Lamentations 3:40 NKJV — Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD;

Instead of complaining, focus on God.

When our eyes are on Jesus, our reasons for complaining should disappear.

What is required more than salvation?

Jesus is our example in all things.

He spoke the truth in love.

He walked in the path given Him with joy.

Let’s follow His example.

Lamentations 3:41 NKJV — Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this beautiful reminder to watch our attitudes and our words. Lord, as long as sin is part of this world, I know that I will struggle with complaining, but it’s not honorable before You and it doesn’t bring a blessing to anyone. Please, help me to speak the truth in love. Please help me to guard my heart and my lips, that I might not sin against You nor others. Please teach me how to replace complaining with thankfulness. Lord, I want to focus on You and not those things which are a result of sin. I lift my heart and hands to You. You are awesome, God! Thank You! I love You. Amen.

“Put your hand on your mouth”

This mouth of which most everyone uses, and is used by, has both great and terrible moments.

The Bible speaks to us clearly to watch our words and be mindful of what we say.

Do not malign a servant to his master, Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. Proverbs 30:10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.30.10.NKJV

This verse might seem out of date as the average person doesn’t have servants nor do we think in ways of those who serve and those who are served.

But it has not lost it’s truth.

Because the Bible tells us that each person was created by God, and although many do not choose to serve Him, He is the One all will answer to.

Thus, when we speak against another, we are actually speaking against God’s creation.

Therefore, we can easily transgress this verse, because God’s Word is clear:

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 NKJV

God is aware that we are going to struggle in this area of words.

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
James 3:2 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.3.2.NKJV

But knowing it’s going to be so much better that we follow His Word and guard our lips, He gives us many scriptures of encouragement and guidance.

Job 27:4 KJV — My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Psalm 34:13 KJV — Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalm 120:2 KJV — Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

We shall find these words “of Agur the son of Jakeh,”(Proverbs 30:1a) will give us a physical action to help with this troublesome member of the body.

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put  your hand on your mouth.
Proverbs 30:32 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.30.32.NKJV

Before we speak our hearts need to be focused on the truths of scripture, but if we find we’ve already said something we shouldn’t it’s not too late to stop.

May we find our guidance in the Lord and His Word for all areas of life, including our speech.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your understanding of how difficult it is to tame my tongue, to keep the words I speak to those which are edifying and wholesome. Lord, You know it is a heart issue, that often my sinful nature takes offense and thus ugliness grows and often shows itself in my speech. Lord Jesus, I don’t want that. I want to be whole before You and cleansed from all unrighteousness. I know it’s a lifelong process, but I humbly request that You remind me to put my hand over my mouth if I’m tempted to speak words which would be sinful, things which would accuse, times that would sow discord and division. Lord Jesus, You alone know what is best and I submit myself before You. Thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your patience as I learn. I love You. Amen.

Healthy words

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:23‭-‬24 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.16.23-24.NKJV

Although much is found in our society about health, healthy words are from Scripture.

This verse clearly connects the wise in heart to words which are carefully chosen, full of the knowledge of God, and bring sweetness to the soul.

For God’s Word is where we find truth and guidance for life.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV — Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Jesus explained why we are to be so careful about the words we speak.

Matthew 12:34 NKJV — “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

“…no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…” Because that means the corruption is within.

James speaks of the difficulty of taming the tongue, but points to the fact that those who do are full of self-discipline.

James 3:2 NKJV — For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Self-discipline is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT — For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth…” Because God is teaching his heart.

And the wise in heart understands the power of the tongue.

The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
Proverbs 16:21 NKJV

Learning, knowledge of God, and wisdom can all be found in Scripture and the Holy Spirit is here to teach our hearts through God’s Word.

James 3:17-18 NKJV — But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

May your day be filled with healthy words.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for giving instruction that I might not sin against You or others. Lord, I want to be one whose words are sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. I want my heart to overflow into words of wisdom and encouragement, based upon Your Word in all things. Lord Jesus, often I am unsure of what I should say, words seem to escape me and other times words of corruption want to bubble out of my sinful heart. Lord, only in You can I be made clean. Only in You can my words be washed and purified. Please work in me today and let no corrupt word proceed out of my mouth. Thank You. Amen.

Sweetness

Proverbs 16:24 NKJV — Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

“Pleasant words…

…are like a honeycomb,”

How true this is.

For what one of us can not attest to the truth of a word spoken well bringing healing or joy or wholeness to our hearts?

Words can hold such meaning.

Truth, kindness, love can all be communicated through words.

The best, most pleasant words ever spoken are those which speak the good news of the Gospel.

The words of truth, those of the Bible, are the most valuable words of all.

“Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

What could possibly be sweeter than hearing about salvation through Christ Jesus?

What could bring more soundness to one than security of life in Christ?

Truly, those who are called by the name of the Lord have such pleasant words to share.

Words of hope.

Words of truth.

Words of encouragement.

Let us, this day be thoughtful of our words.

Let’s spread a little sweetness this week through pleasant words.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Nothing is sweeter than Your truth. Please continue to pour into my heart and mind Your Word. Please help it to reside within me that I might share it. Lord, please fill my mouth with Your pleasant words. Please keep a watch over my lips, that I might speak only things which would edify those who listen. May my life glorify Your name. Thank You. Amen.

Who may abide…?

Lord , who may abide in Your tabernacle?

Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He who walks uprightly,

And works righteousness,

And speaks the truth in his heart;

He who does not backbite with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;

In whose eyes a vile person is despised,

But he honors those who fear the Lord ;

He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

He who does not put out his money at usury,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalms 15:1‭-‬5 NKJV

I want to dwell with the Lord.

My heart wants to live with God each and every day.

And I can!

Through Jesus’s sacrifice, my salvation is secure.

The Holy Spirit resides in me, giving me my heart’s desire of dwelling with the Lord.

Of course I still long to be physically present with Him, but that time will come.

In the interim, I look to scripture daily as my guide and direction for the fruit of a life surrendered before Him.

Therefore, I love these verses.

Words of guidance: walk uprightly, work righteousness, speak truth in my heart, be careful of my words, be cautious with my speech.

Words of comfort: “He who does these things shall never be moved.”

My physical place of residence has changed many times, but my spiritual dwelling with the Lord is secure.

John 10:28 NKJV — “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

What comfort!

To know my soul is safe in the hand of Jesus.

Thus I dwell in today as His bondservant, dead to my personal short-sighted dreams and alive in Christ and His plans for me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. How great and wonderful it is to live daily for You and with You in my life! How great a comfort and assurance there is from knowing nothing on this earth can snatch my life from Your hand. Lord, I am Your humble servant, do with me as You see fit. My life was nothing before You and I know it is only through Your sacrifice that I find salvation and safety. This day is Yours. Please help me to walk in Your ways, keeping Your Word, living unto You in all things. Lord, please put a guard on my lips, that I might not sin against You. Please place a hedge of protection around my mind, that my thoughts might be only truth. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Always with grace

One misspoken word can cause an avalanche of emotion.

Always speaking with grace sounds simple.

But…

Sometimes, I just don’t know what to say.

Other times, I really wish I’d remained silent.

Once spoken, one can’t retrieve those words.

Since childhood, I’ve found my mouth getting me into trouble.

Talking comes so much more naturally than being silent.

To make matters worse, if I’m nervous I normally talk more.

Not a positive trait.

Because more words means more opportunities to say something I shouldn’t.

As with all things, scripture is my go to for this area of struggle.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 NKJV

Always speak words of grace, seasoned with salt.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

Nothing which is spoken should poison or harm, instead words should be healing truth filled with love and grace.

Psalm 19:14 KJV — Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The words spoken and the thoughts focused on are directly linked and need to be under the Lordship of Christ.

I have prayed these verses in my desire to speak only uplifting and encouraging words.

For wrestling with my untamable tongue continues.

It’s also a lesson I’m trying to teach.

I’ve asked more than once, “Was that kind?”

Colossians 3:12 NKJV — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

How we speak, act, think, and respond should all be within the boundaries of protection the Lord set up in His Word.

If I’m allowing unkind speech out of my mouth, what are the thoughts of my heart?

Matthew 12:34 KJV — O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (emphasis mine)

Therefore my speech is a mirror of my heart’s condition.

Of course, I’m powerless to train myself at all, only through the Lord Jesus and His guidance can my actions and attitudes change.

How encouraging to look backwards and see He has brought me so far from where I used to be.

How thankful I am for His patient instruction.

Conviction really is a blessing.

Thus, I’m praising God for His Word, His patient correction, and His love.

I’m also continuing to lift up my struggles in prayer.

Psalm 141:3 NKJV — Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and Your guidance. I desperately want to sow good things in life and I know this area of words is a vital part. Please Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and a door upon my lips that I might not sin. Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart and renew my mind, that I might be able to walk in Your ways, being led by Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, I want to live in such a way as to redeem the time, please teach me daily how to do so. Thank You. I love You, Jesus.

Lost his voice

Circumstances can crowd in upon someone before they realize.

The consequences of behavior can begin to hide the heart.

And yet those things are a direct result of the choices made.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 NKJV

Recently, as I shared with another, the brokenness of my past relationship with my father, I was able to see the truth in a crystalized phrase.

“He had lost his voice with me by the way he used anger.”

From my perspective, he was always angry and therefore I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

In reflection, after God’s healing me, I can see I missed a lot of things he was trying to say, but he had already lost his voice with me.

Our conversation continued and we each reflected upon times when our own voice was lost.

Although all three of the circumstances and choices were different, we each had lost the privilege of sharing truth because of our misuse of our words, actions, or attitudes.

But it didn’t end there.

Jesus had redeemed each of us.

It was humbling and uplifting to realize how Jesus had used these sins in our lives to hone us, to teach us, and to change us.

And before I thought it I spoke.

“I really hope God will help me to teach this truth. I want to pass on the value of guarding one’s actions, attitudes, and words so they might not lose their voice.”

Of course Jesus already spoke so clearly upon these truths, all I’m responsible for is sharing them with others and walking in them myself.

No, I don’t have it down perfect, but I’ve learned that when I sin it’s my responsibility to repent and ask for forgiveness, both from God and those I’ve sinned against.

I’m also on my guard about making allowances.

“Well, I just reacted that way, because I’m hungry and I didn’t sleep well and I…”

Nope!

Refusing to accept the truth that I sinned is as damaging as the sin.

Trying to down play my responsibility in the sin is as deadly as approval of the sin.

Blaming anything rather than repenting of my sin is wickedness, for what I’m doing in my heart is refusing to admit that I’ve transgressed before the Lord.

Humility before God and then others is the best choice.

1 Peter 5:5 KJV — Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

If you have allowed your voice to be lost through sin, it’s not too late to humble yourself before God and those around you.

If you are walking in the path of restoration, praise God for His mercy and grace. Pass on the knowledge of God’s truth.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV — Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. It is so full of all we need! Thank You for teaching me how to be careful of my words and how to continually humble myself before You and others. Please continue to teach me and to guide me along Your paths. Jesus, I want to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and full of Your wisdom. Please help me to sow truth, love, humility, and righteousness daily. Please place a guard over my heart and my mouth, that I might not sin. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Words impact

“It was not so much what grandmother said as how she said it. She made wounds that rankled and festered.” Jane of Lanternhill by L.M. Montgomery

While reading these words the Lord’s truth was revisited.

The seasons of dealing with negative words has taught me how severe an impact words can have.

More than one job I’ve had revolved around dealing with problems.

Which means listening to constant complaints.

At one season the complaints had been so weighty and over bearing the effect was my attitude.

My joy slowly died, like a flowering plant transplanted beneath a thorn bush.

It took the Lord to show me how to manage the constant stream of complaints and not to accept them as personal failure.

And it was reading this book as a grandma which caused me to wonder.

Did Jane’s grandmother really realize how shriveled and barren her relationship with her granddaughter was?

Did she know it was due to her own tongue?

What were the motives behind the tongue whose seeds were sowing discord, pain, and estrangement?

Who else felt the sting of this woman’s impact through her words?

What about mine?

Are my words’ impact for good or bad?

Helpful or harmful?

How do I say things?

Is my attitude, tone, and body language appropriate, kind, loving?

What about when I’m stressed, depressed, hurting, or exhausted?

What’s the impact of my words?

The book of James has such wisdom pointed directly at the tongue:

“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!”
James 3:2‭-‬5 NKJV

What truth.

One doesn’t have to look far for the smoke or fire from another’s burning words.

But God grants us the ability to tame the tongue.

His Word, as in everything, is my guide.

Ephesians 4:29 has been a memory verse which helps me gage the impact of my words.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the reminder to watch what I say and how I say it. Thank You for holding up Your truth before me that I might see the impact of words. Lord, please continue to hone my character, that even in my words I might shine the light of Your truth.

Just a little overflow

” Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 NKJ

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 NKJ

” The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” Proverbs 16:23 NKJ

Why is it so hard to contain our words?

What is so elusive about speaking words of encouragement?

Why are words called treasure?

Anyone who has ever felt the searing pain of words spoken in anger, can understand the treasurer of words spoken in love.

Anyone who has lost their self-control and harmed those they love by the words they’ve spoken can understand the depth of regret.

It is understandable that God’s Word would speak to us on this very important topic.

And He reveals the truth:
Our words show us the condition of our heart.

So like the water’s overflowing the stream,
Or the pond at flood stage,
words which pour out of us give us a clue to what’s really in us.

Therefore I am looking to guard my words.

I’m praying for God to cleanse my heart.

I’m purposing to speak words of encouragement that will benefit those who hear me.

Let us be diligent in doing good and guard the overflow of our hearts.