SANCTIFIED SPEECH
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
You can tell what's important to someone by listening to what comes out of their mouth. This isn't a revelation. Spend any time with a devoted parent, and they'll talk about their children. That rabid sports fan will always find a way to bring up their team (and usually refers to the team as if they are a member). Someone on a new workout plan or diet trend is legally obligated to tell everyone they come in contact with about it. It's natural—we can't keep our passions to ourselves.
So, with that in mind, would you say you're passionate about Jesus?
Don't just say yes because you think you're supposed to. There's no one here to impress. It's just you and God in this moment. So, be honest—do you talk about Jesus? Does how you talk about other things reflect that you know Jesus?
When we were children, we learned a cute rhyme about sticks and stones and how words can never hurt anyone. That was a bald-faced lie. Foul and abusive language can not only hurt other people's feelings and self-esteem, but it can damage our witness for Christ. Stated succinctly—your words matter. A lot. If we believe this, why would we do anything but seek to use our words to have a positive impact for the Kingdom?
APPLICATION: You can certainly take stock of your own speech to some extent, but I'd like to ask you to consider another approach. Warning—it will require some vulnerability in community. Here's the exercise: Ask a handful of people with whom you spend a significant amount of time to observe your speech over a week. It could be co-workers, family members, neighbors, etc. Whoever is in a position to take stock of your speech. They don't have to start right away. In fact, you may encourage them to start on a later day of their choosing so you're not just on your best behavior around them to score well or pass a test. Ask them to listen for what you talk about most. Ask them to pay attention to how you speak to people as much as they listen to what you're speaking to them about. At the end of that period, invite them to share their feedback. Once they do, take that to God and ask Him to show you how to shift your speech to be more centered around Him!
PRAYER: Father, may the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?