Say What?

Say What?
by David Brenneman

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29.
   
    We always need to be careful about what we say because our
words have an extraordinary effect on us and others. What we verbalize we also hear -and it affects us physically, mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually. Choose to speak negativity all day long, and your day will be a lot worse than if you decide to be positive. So consider: Do the words you're expressing enhance or contribute to whatever it is you want to achieve?
    You may say, "But you don't understand. My life is difficult.
Complaining is how I release my feelings." However, you must
remember that your words communicate your beliefs. If you're
always speaking defeat, that's where you'll remain. This is why
David prayed, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth" (Psalm 141:3). He knew "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Instead, when you face heartaches and burdens, try making a good confession of faith. When you get into a difficult spot, say, "Lord, thank You for Your promises because I know You're going to see me through this and bring good from it." It will make all the difference in your circumstances.

Jesus, set a guard on my mouth and help me always to speak faith. Amen
-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

Ever really consider your words?  Literally it means to stop and reflect on before uttering.  What Dr. Stanley says right here "However, you must
remember that your words communicate your beliefs."?

A man got into a NY Taxi and the driver actually was quite pleasant to converse with on their way to his destination.  The driver gets cut off and to the man's surprise he didn't utter a string of profanities.  He smiled at the person doing this to him until the person drove off. This impressed the passenger to the point of making mention of it.  The driver made a comment about garbage in garbage out.  What comes out of people like that is because of what they take in.

Jesus explained to His Disciples as well as everyone since the New Testament was read to everyone and we read it ourselves.  What comes out of the heart is what defiles a person. Left alone, without the Spirit of God, the heart is desperately wicked the Bible says.

What you say out loud and before anyone lays claim to the excuse "I didn't say that out loud!" remember He who searches the hearts!

Every single careless word we will give an account of.  Spoken or unspoken.  We read we are to guard our hearts.  We read King David wanting the Lord to put a guard over his mouth. 

What you think, what you say, what you don't say, matters.

What you do shows to whom you serve, to whom you belong. 

Our lives in Christ have a fully divine purpose.  From before the first rays of the sun to begin the day til our eyes close for the night.  We are a seriously tempted generation to compromise in all areas that can affect our hearts.  We convince ourselves of good and bad of right and wrong WITHOUT CONSIDERING ASKING JESUS. 

Joshua son of Nun started off his filling of Moses's sandles great then his very next interaction with some locals in the Promised Land he trips up the nation for the rest of time.

We cannot guard our hearts on our own.  We need the strength and help of the Spirit of God to get it done. 

We need His Godly determination to persist in staying the course, to finishing the race, well.

We can't trust our instincts, our gut, as you will because we will lie to ourselves about what's right and good and what isn't.  It's why so much of the Church has problems with pornography, idolatry, adultery, foul language, and all other sorts of sinfulness.

Guard your hearts, guard your mouth, guard guard guard. 

If you're not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit you should be very concerned and should be praying for the Spirit to help correct your behavior.  If your 'habits' are less than Godly, less than the standard of righteousness in Christ Jesus, you should be very concerned.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  That's what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.

Jesus set aside self in order to fulfill His Father's will.  That's our calling as well.  We easily see that in all the tapestry of the life of the Apostle Paul and his exhortation to Timothy.

Are you trying to choose right or wrong, what's good for you and what isn't based on your own understanding?  Speak truth to that notion "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth.  Think before you speak.  Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.

Our compromises aren't just "who we are".  We can seek first His kingdom and His righteousness if we but choose to do so and cry out to Him for help.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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