We all choose our clothes more carefully than we do our words. I would like to say that isn’t the case, but sadly it’s true.
If we realized how powerful our words are, maybe we would think about what we’re saying. I always seem to realize what I’ve said, after I’ve said it. Guarding our mouths shouldn’t be a quote to throw around, but wisdom to live by.
The Bible tells us life and death is in the power of the tongue. Yet we put a lot of effort into cleaning ourselves up on the outside and don’t worry about the inside. God is more concerned about what’s on the inside.
Have you ever been having a conversation with a friend and a mutual contact comes into the talking and either you or the other person start “talking trash” about them. I’m sure we’ve all done it a time or two or a hundred.
In 1 Samual 16 God is talking to Samual about the newly appointed King David. Samual is examining the appearances of the sons of Jesse noticing their stature and strength, thinking God would choose one of them to be the King of Judah. God tells him,
“Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
God is concerned more with our words because our words reflect the condition of our hearts.
What Comes Out Of Our Mouths Is What’s In Our Heart.
Our words are the fruit of what’s in our hearts. If we look at Luke chapter 6 Jesus teaches this lesson’s to His disciples, when teaching the Beatitudes. He says,
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings for of evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” – Luke 6:43-45
Have you ever wondered why lying is such a big deal? We like to think, if it doesn’t actually hurt someone, it’s not a big deal. But it’s a big deal, not because of what is hidden, but because of what is revealed. We can not live for Jesus if deception is at the root of our hearts.
It’s the same with hateful or hurtful words. It’s the impact on people on the receiving end of them.
When I was growing up my father always used o tell me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. I read an article that stated the Socrates used to say, “So you are certain that what you say is true, and it isn’t good or kind. One filter still remains, though, so you may yet still tell me. That is usefulness or necessity. Is this information useful or necessary to me?”
I think considering this before we speak we should ask ourselves:
- Is it true?
- Is it good?
- Is it kind?
- Is it useful?
- Is it necessary to?
If it passes these filters, speak up. If not, either find a tactful way to make it pass the test or better still, keep it to yourself.
Many people leave it at that and assume that the story is just about the information we spread.
What is the real truth behind it, is it about the information we seek and create.
To guard our words effectively, we must diligently guard our hearts.
The world was created through words or language. So, our words are powerful. Our words sow either one or two seeds; life or death. And seeds produce a harvest of their own likeness. What we sow with our words, we create more of. Although we cannot speak and create worlds like He does. He has given us the ability to create with our words. We can edify, encourage, inspire, and uplift. But we can also tear down, condemn, humiliate, and uproot.
King Solomon was not kidding when he said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will it’s it’s fruit” – Proverbs 18:21.
We will reap what our words sow. It is with our mouths that we profess our faith and are saved.
From Pity to Praise 