Why is What I Say So Important?
How would you describe the way you talk?
Are your words positive, constructive, comforting, supportive, and uplifting?
Or are the words that come out of your mouth most often cutting, negative, and hurtful?
According to Proverbs 15:4 (TLB),
“Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.”
What does it mean to have a “wholesome” tongue? A tongue that speaks good of people and situations. A tongue that builds up people (yourself and others). A tongue that is gentle. A tongue that is kind. A tongue that builds others up.
Psalm 34:13-14(NIV) says,
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
The Bible makes it very clear in Matthew 12:36 (NIV) that we need to be careful about the things that we say:
“I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We all need to give a little more thought to what we say before we say it. “Biblical speech” involves applying God’s Word to our lives daily. It means we allow the principles of scripture to influence our words and how we use them. It means we build people up, we use words of challenge in loving ways, we use words of grace.
Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) gives good advice –
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Griping, grumbling, or complaining often don’t accomplish anything. And engaging in this kind of talk can also make you feel awful.
Titus 3:2 (NIV) instructs us
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
According to God’s Word, our behavior and our words should reflect our devotion to God. We need to pay attention to the way we conduct ourselves! Our words impact our lives, the lives of others, and our relationship with God. Commit yourself to studying God’s Word and applying his principles to your speech.
Read Proverbs 15:4; Psalm 34:13-14; Matthew 12:36; Proverbs 21:23; Titus 3:2; Proverbs 16:24; Psalm 19:14
TAKE A STEP
Memorize Psalm 19:14 (NIV):
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”
by Dr. Henry Brandt
Author, Teacher, Christian Counselor, Consulting Psychologist
Visit his website: Biblical Counseling Outreach https://biblicalcounselingoutreach.com/
Related Reading:
Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?
Fear, Faith and Migraines by Dr. Muriel Larson
Up from Depression – Barbara Epp shares her journey with depression and the misconception that Christians shouldn’t get depressed
Struggling with Depression – Merri Ellen Giesbrecht tells her depression story and her story of hope
Abuse Survivor’s Story – Sexually molested by her father as a child.
From Victim to Victory – Physically and emotionally abused as a child, Sharon stopped crying at 6 and stopped talking at 9.
Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Dr. Muriel Larson