Words
By
Becci J. Terrill
“When
she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”
Proverbs
31:26 (NLT)
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 Terrill is a wife
and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at
Oakwood Church.
