Words. They can pack a punch or even heal a life.
They can also destroy one. Talk is not cheap.
The Bible says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Pr. 18:21). It’s true. A word from a judge can condemn or forgive. Just the two words “I do,” at the right time and right place, can lead to a lifelong marriage – while the words “I will not,” in the face of temptation, can save that same marriage.
Some of the greatest messages in history were relatively few in words.
God used less then three hundred words to deliver the Ten Commandments.
Jesus used only fifty-six words to communicate a syllabus for prayer known as “The Lord’s Prayer.”
America’s founding fathers used three hundred words to declare our independence.
On the other hand, words have also destroyed countless millions of lives. Silvan Shalom told the United Nations, “The brutal extermination of a people began not with guns or tanks but with words systematically portraying the Jews and others as not legitimate, something less than human.”
Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” It was another way of saying, “Get a grip on your words! Mean what you say and say what you mean.”
However, it is essential to avoid giving every feeling or idea a voice. Think about what a word is. A word is an “intelligible mark or an articulate sound that symbolizes a meaning.” It would not be helpful to anyone, including yourself, if you identified every thought and feeling with a word, right? Just sounding off with your every feeling or idea would make your life a mess, not to mention everyone else’s around you. The Bible says, ”Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow” (Proverbs 10: 19). In fact, the Bible identifies the “fool” (who does not have common sense) as someone who just speaks what’s on his mind. Dangerous!
Proverbs 13:16 says, “Wise people think before they act.” On the other hand, we find this wisdom in Proverbs 18:2: “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.” Sometimes it’s best not to say anything at all. It’s like what the fisherman said: “If that fish had kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t have been caught.”
Today, use your words wisely. Communicate your love for the Lord. Give Him the honor and praise that is righty His! Tell your loved one’s that you love them. I would even encourage you to verbalize the promises of God below. Give voice to them. Yes, say them out-loud. There is something wonderful about doing that.
“Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17)
“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:17-18).
Encouraging, isn’t it?
Yes.
This brings to mind a “parable” I once heard.
A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, “Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds.” The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, “Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers.”
Yes! Very encouraging.
I believe I favor expressing my thoughts in written word because when written, I can look over how I am communicating. I desire, pray that my spoken words will be communicated in a way that gives glory to the Lord. I hope I will be clear, encouraging, build up those I speak to. Slow to speak! God help me…
Thank you for another inspiring, encouraging blog!
shelly
Just wanted to say what a blessing that video was last night, I am still so blown away at how much God loves us!Thank you
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Dora, I too am still soaking in the blessing of the knowledge of the greatness of God! Thanks for dropping by … Greg 🙂
Greg, I’m so happy that God led me to your website today. He’s just full of surprises and blessings. Isn’t He? Reading your story brought back great memories of being born again and starting a journey of spiritual growth among school friends in Palos Verdes. I’m writing to you from Namibia. While here in Africa God shows me everyday that He is FAITHFUL!
I was so blessed by this entry. Honestly, it is the first one I have looked at. My internet time is so limited with a 10 month old, as it should be I suppose.
When I think of this topic the verse in James (if I am remembering correctly) comes to mind, that it is the same tongue we praise our Lord with, that we also use to speak all else. That keeps me on my toes!
Thank you Kristin! What a reality to be reminded of!
Chuck, you look amazing!! God bless you and thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ!!
Praying for the ministry this weekend and always at Calvary Chapel Auburn! We are so blessed!!!
THANK YOU!!
When I remember what James the brother of our Lord said about the tongue being set on fire by the flames of hell, I want to wire my mouth shut.
I often read at the web site http://www.Bible.org
I found this there and I keep a copy of it in my pocket, It doesn’t always help me with “over speak!” But it sure helps me at night when I empty my pockets and I read it knowing how the day went.
It causes me to remember to close my day with 1 John 1:9!
Here it is:
When Silence is Golden: Forbidden Uses of Words
There are many uses of the tongue which are clearly forbidden in Proverbs. Let us briefly review them.
1. A BREACH OF CONFIDENCE.
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter (11:13).
Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, Lest he who hears it reproach you, And the evil report about you not pass away (25:9-10).
2. COMMITMENTS MADE IN HASTE.
My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Do not give sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler (6:1-5).
It is a snare for a man to say rashly, ‘It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry (20:25).
3. CONTENTION AND STRIFE.
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel (20:3).
4. ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT OR INSTRUCT A FOOL.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words (23:9).
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest (29:9).
5. CURSING PARENTS.
He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness (20:20; cf. 30:11).
6. FALSE TESTIMONY.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape (19:5).
A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity (19:28).
7. FLATTERY.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin (26:28).
He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue (28:23).
A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps (29:5).
8. GOSSIP AND SLANDER.
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body (18:8).
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip (20:19).
The north wind brings forth rain, And the backbiting tongue, an angry countenance (25:23).
9. LYING AND DECEPTION.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put devious lips far from you (4:24).
A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a false mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers (6:12-13).
10. SELF-ACCLAIM.
Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely (25:14).
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips (27:2).
Lord help me be transformed in the way I speak to others, Please in Jesus Name!!!!!
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Very Nice, Jim!
THanks, Greg 🙂
Good morning to all. A happy Nisan 11 to everyone. Only 3 more days until Passover. Wow! Isn’t it amazing how the timetable is right in place this year. Awesome. I just want to wish everyone a very joyous Passover and Easter. God truly is AMAZING. Blessings to all. Love, Pat Pestoni
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THank you, Pat! It’s a beautiful week … 🙂 Greg
04-11-2009
Greg:
This “passion” week, I’ve been drawn to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16.
Where he prays, “That He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might in the inner man”.
This prayer covers Ephesians 3: 14-19. It is addressed to the Father, [Ephesians 3:14] concerning the indwelling of Christ by faith, [3:17] with the inner strengthening being done by the Spirit, [3:16] so that we could be filled with all the fullness of God, [3:19].
Wow: what a dramatic prayer. It invokes all 3 members of the God head.
It also reminds me of:
Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength in my soul.
Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.
Isaiah 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Remembering Jesus’ words: in Luke 18:1, “And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint”;
I’ve been incorporating all this into a prayer for those who will come to the sunrise service at Placer High stadium and to sunrise services across the globe early Sunday morning. That some would know the riches of his glory that He has poured on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, [Rom 9:23] and that others He would open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ. [Acts 26:18] So that the world will see and know that He is God!
See you at the Bible study Saturday and Sunrise service Sunday
Lord willing if the Church don’t rise!!!!!