"...some of his words are still ringing in my ears."
There are words that we hear and never stick. The book of Proverbs tells us that a curse won't land on an unintended victim like a bird that darts off. Thank God for that! I'm sure you have heard things you are glad you forgot shortly after.
Some things we hear stick. Some good and some bad. I had a conversation just the other day that bugged me. I left the room and the person but the words stayed with me. I finally had to pray it off! When these words stick to us they are like acid or some corrosive material that eats away at us. These words destroy and tear down. The old saying that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me is great for personal morale but probably in practice far from the truth.
On the other hand the kinds of words that we want to stick are the words that build. As we hear them they add to our life. They build inside of us a support structure that holds us together and hold us up. They come as defining moments in our lives from people we respect and love and who love us. The Apostle Paul said that we should speak in a way that imparts grace and that which is good for necessary edification. That word edification is similar to the word edifice. Like a building that has been raised up we need these types of words to build our lives.
In order to have more of the right words in your life stuck to you all you have to do is get in the right places with the right people. You will have destructive words come but don't let that stop you. Find the people who you trust to speak into your life. Also, be an encourager and speak the right thing to others. As you do what you have sown you will also reap.
How do you choose the right people to speak into your life? What are some good things to say to build others up?
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Day 289 - Playing the Silence
"I stayed silent so as to not sin with my mouth or speak rashly."
In music there is a note that you intentionally play silence. It is called a rest. I believe that there are times we need to give our tongues a rest.
Many times silence is the best answer. I have found that if I can be slow to anger and slow to speak I will not only have all the information I need but I can also calculate my answers and people will listen more because I haven't been talking. In fact, the Bible says in Proverbs that where words are in abundance sin is not absent.
Our tongues steer our lives. When we talk out of emotion or condition we run the risk of steering in the wrong direction. I would rather play the rest and focus my heart to speak the Word of God so I get going in the right direction.
It will not only help our direction but our relationships, marriages, parenting, work and witness. When we can think properly and communicate in a way that imparts grace and our speech is seasoned with salt who wouldn't want to hear what we have to say? You have to play the rest so that when your part comes in it is harmonious with the other voices.
The most important voice we want to be in agreement with is God's voice. If I fly off the handle or allow anger and bitterness to spring forth from my lips then I am in opposition to the Word of God. When I play the rest and then speak in turn with what God says then I will have the pleasure of God and the power of God on my side.
As you go throughout your day take time to listen. If you are confronted with sour attitudes or situations that make your blood boil don't be like the tea kettle that whistles out to let everyone know how hot you are. If you can submit your tongue to the power of the Holy Spirit, play the rest and stay silent, then when you speak it will be graceful loving words that build instead of break.
Is it a struggle for you to stay silent or do you wish you could speak up more? How do you know what the appropriate time and place to speak is?
In music there is a note that you intentionally play silence. It is called a rest. I believe that there are times we need to give our tongues a rest.
Many times silence is the best answer. I have found that if I can be slow to anger and slow to speak I will not only have all the information I need but I can also calculate my answers and people will listen more because I haven't been talking. In fact, the Bible says in Proverbs that where words are in abundance sin is not absent.
Our tongues steer our lives. When we talk out of emotion or condition we run the risk of steering in the wrong direction. I would rather play the rest and focus my heart to speak the Word of God so I get going in the right direction.
It will not only help our direction but our relationships, marriages, parenting, work and witness. When we can think properly and communicate in a way that imparts grace and our speech is seasoned with salt who wouldn't want to hear what we have to say? You have to play the rest so that when your part comes in it is harmonious with the other voices.
The most important voice we want to be in agreement with is God's voice. If I fly off the handle or allow anger and bitterness to spring forth from my lips then I am in opposition to the Word of God. When I play the rest and then speak in turn with what God says then I will have the pleasure of God and the power of God on my side.
As you go throughout your day take time to listen. If you are confronted with sour attitudes or situations that make your blood boil don't be like the tea kettle that whistles out to let everyone know how hot you are. If you can submit your tongue to the power of the Holy Spirit, play the rest and stay silent, then when you speak it will be graceful loving words that build instead of break.
Is it a struggle for you to stay silent or do you wish you could speak up more? How do you know what the appropriate time and place to speak is?
Friday, May 22, 2015
Day 143 - Tasty Morsels
"The stuff that was said was utter foolishness. I'm not sure why any of it would have ever been believed but gossip is a slippery snake."
One of the Proverbs in a modern translation likens gossip to tasty morsels that go deep into the body. But like any candy laced with poison, tasty as it may be, it will either make you sick or kill you. Maybe you have heard it said of gossip that it is juicy. It reminds me of that old bubble gum that had the juice in the center so that the first few bites it was a gushing flavor fest in your mouth. Soon after though the flavor was gone and the gum was hard and tasteless. The only remedy was another piece.
Gossip is a lot like that. It is juicy and tastes good initially but soon it will turn on you. Soon others won't talk to you because trust has been breached. As they turn on you they will share tasty bits about you with others and your reputation will be tarnished.
Make the choice not to listen to gossip or to share it. Think before you speak and have the courage to shut it down when others want to share gossip with you. It is tough to do and people won't like you at first but in the end you will be trusted and won't have that poison running through your body.
Is there a tactful way to stop gossip? How can we determine what to share and what not to share?
One of the Proverbs in a modern translation likens gossip to tasty morsels that go deep into the body. But like any candy laced with poison, tasty as it may be, it will either make you sick or kill you. Maybe you have heard it said of gossip that it is juicy. It reminds me of that old bubble gum that had the juice in the center so that the first few bites it was a gushing flavor fest in your mouth. Soon after though the flavor was gone and the gum was hard and tasteless. The only remedy was another piece.
Gossip is a lot like that. It is juicy and tastes good initially but soon it will turn on you. Soon others won't talk to you because trust has been breached. As they turn on you they will share tasty bits about you with others and your reputation will be tarnished.
Make the choice not to listen to gossip or to share it. Think before you speak and have the courage to shut it down when others want to share gossip with you. It is tough to do and people won't like you at first but in the end you will be trusted and won't have that poison running through your body.
Is there a tactful way to stop gossip? How can we determine what to share and what not to share?
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Day 126 - Just My Luck
"We went on a hike in Oak Glen with the family. It was fun but cold. I don't know why both times we have done this hike this year it has been bitter cold."
Have you ever had reoccurring things happen to you that made you think "Well, that is just my luck"? It seems like sometimes when things happen like this we raise an eyebrow and wonder if there is any significance.
I am not sure that there always is or isn't. What I do know is that God has ordained all of our steps, every day is the day that the Lord has made and He is working all things for my good. So what if it is a cold day both times I went hiking at the same spot?! We had fun and I probably would have enjoyed a cold hike more than a hot one!
We have to watch our attitudes. Otherwise complaints creep in and eventually we speak negative stuff over our lives. Perfectly good days get ruined with complaints. Look for the silver lining and speak what God says. It is a good day. God is doing something good on my behalf. My steps are ordered of the Lord! (Try it out right now and see if you're not smiling by the time you're finished.)
Have you had experiences that made you wonder if it was 'just your luck'? What are some other positive confessions from the Word we can speak over our day?
Have you ever had reoccurring things happen to you that made you think "Well, that is just my luck"? It seems like sometimes when things happen like this we raise an eyebrow and wonder if there is any significance.
I am not sure that there always is or isn't. What I do know is that God has ordained all of our steps, every day is the day that the Lord has made and He is working all things for my good. So what if it is a cold day both times I went hiking at the same spot?! We had fun and I probably would have enjoyed a cold hike more than a hot one!
We have to watch our attitudes. Otherwise complaints creep in and eventually we speak negative stuff over our lives. Perfectly good days get ruined with complaints. Look for the silver lining and speak what God says. It is a good day. God is doing something good on my behalf. My steps are ordered of the Lord! (Try it out right now and see if you're not smiling by the time you're finished.)
Have you had experiences that made you wonder if it was 'just your luck'? What are some other positive confessions from the Word we can speak over our day?
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Day 88 - Doing Life Tired
"I finally got back to my bed at 3 am."
The life of a parent is a tired one. Sleep is a memory. We just do life tired.
I remember arguing with my wife after our second child about who was more tired. We would actually compare how many hours of sleep we got and even a half hour more was reason to win the argument. I don't know how much of a win being more tired was though.
We finally agreed that we wouldn't count what we didn't get and not allow ourselves to argue over silly things like who got more sleep. When we did that it made our days a lot more bearable.
I think we all are guilty at times of allowing hours or needs or numbers to cloud our thinking and drive us to complaining. It is one thing to do life tired. It is quite another to do life tired and complaining.
God has a lot to say about the words of our mouths. We can guide our lives like a ship with a rudder with our tongues. We can also sow good things into our lives with our words. We also have to be careful that we don't speak death or complain about what God has given us as a blessing.
I cherish some of my late night memories of rocking the kids to sleep and yawning on the front row of church after a long night. I wouldn't trade it for a good night's sleep at all.
"How do you do without sleep? What are some ways to watch our tongues and speak the right things?
The life of a parent is a tired one. Sleep is a memory. We just do life tired.
I remember arguing with my wife after our second child about who was more tired. We would actually compare how many hours of sleep we got and even a half hour more was reason to win the argument. I don't know how much of a win being more tired was though.
We finally agreed that we wouldn't count what we didn't get and not allow ourselves to argue over silly things like who got more sleep. When we did that it made our days a lot more bearable.
I think we all are guilty at times of allowing hours or needs or numbers to cloud our thinking and drive us to complaining. It is one thing to do life tired. It is quite another to do life tired and complaining.
God has a lot to say about the words of our mouths. We can guide our lives like a ship with a rudder with our tongues. We can also sow good things into our lives with our words. We also have to be careful that we don't speak death or complain about what God has given us as a blessing.
I cherish some of my late night memories of rocking the kids to sleep and yawning on the front row of church after a long night. I wouldn't trade it for a good night's sleep at all.
"How do you do without sleep? What are some ways to watch our tongues and speak the right things?
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