Words
By Becci J. Terrill
“When she speaks she
has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.”
Proverbs
31:26 (The Message)
I’ll
be honest. I wish this verse was about me, but sadly, it is not.
One
would hope that the older one gets, the wiser one becomes, and the less of a
problem words would be. I have not found this to be true in my life. In fact, I
find myself struggling more and more with my words lately. Why is that?
Words
have the power to heal, encourage, build up, bring joy, comfort and show love.
But words can also hurt, betray, wound, ridicule, deceive and slander. James
3:10 reads, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers,
this should not be.”
Proverbs
4:23-24 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring
of life. Put away perversity from your
mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” I’ve read the first part (verse
23) many times, but didn’t realize that it comes directly before instructions
about our words. God understood that what is inside our hearts will come out in
our words. (Garbage in = garbage out.)
So,
if I’m having problems with my words, it’s really a heart issue. Am I “guarding my heart”? Am I being careful
about what I am filling my heart and life with? If I want my words to build
others up (Ephesians
4:29), then I need to focus on the truth of God’s Word and be filled with
the Spirit. If I am filled with the Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit will
flow out of my life - - words spoken in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians
5:22-23a).
I’ve
still got a long way to go. Thankfully I’m not alone in my struggle.
My
prayer echoes one of King David’s, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: test
me and know my anxious thoughts. See if
there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm
139:23-24). WARNING: If you pray
this prayer, God’s Spirit will reveal offensive words! I’m grateful for the
Spirit’s voice that stops me in my tracks and shows me the ugliness of my words
and how they impact others. As I guard my heart and let the Spirit have control
of my words, I pray these reprimands won’t come as often.
Psalm
19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
pleasing in your sight, O Lord.” Amen.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
How would others describe your words?
2.
Study Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and allow God to speak to you about the power
of words for good or evil.
FURTHER
READING:
Becci is a wife and
mother of two adult daughters. She is the Director of Ministry Partnerships at
Shepherds Ministries in Union Grove, WI.
She serves as WE Women’s Special Events Coordinator and teaches 3rd Grade.
