All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Hung By The Tongue
Learning to Speak Love!
Psalm 19:14
May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
I am starting this conversation with a great sense of:
'Teach me God, because there is so much I need to learn here.'
It doesn't take much for relationships to spiral out of control when a harsh word is spoken.
It could even be that our intentions were right and pure.
We just stated them poorly.
We will never know someone else's circumstances.
Which is why we are not to judge.
We are not expected to know!
God Knows!---That's why we call on Him!
In The Book of Acts we read about Barnabas which means
(Son Of Encouragement). After Saul's conversion, the disciples were afraid to meet with him because of his terrible reputation. But Barnabas became the bridge between Saul and the apostles. He saw the potential in Saul, and encouraged that potential into a reality. We are called to do that. To believe the best about people rather than the worst. Despite their reputations, we are called to look at them through the eyes of God, and see what He sees. Assets, not liabilities. Beloved children in need of Grace and Mercy...and a big dose of truth filled love.
Eph 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in Love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the Church.
which leads us to are we...
Qualified to Confront???
We harvest what we plant--
Galatians 6:1-3
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share eachother's burdens, and in this way obey the Law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
We must check our own spirits and make sure we are not in the wrong spirit. We'd do well to examine why we feel compelled to speak:
1--Let us not become conceited.
Thinking we are better and incapable of sin.
2--provoking eachother.
Is my main motivation to prove that this other person is wrong, and I am right. Am I hoping this person will argue so they can be convinced of their sin?
3--envying eachother.
Do I secretly want to see the other person himiliated? Is my truth telling motivated by jealousy? A desire to get even? A need to see the other person exposed?
Calvin Miller explains it like this:
"Malicious truth gloats like a conqueror. Loving Truth mourns that it must confront and show a brother his error. Mailicious truth struts at its power. Loving truth weeps to find that the correction it inspires may for a while cause great pain. Malicious truth cries "Checkmate, you are beaten!" Loving truth whispers, "I correct you with the same pain you feel. But when the pain is over, we shall rejoice that honesty and love have been served.
In order to ensure that we only confront in the right kind of Spirit, it is suggested that we don't do it at all unless we have spent time in fasting and prayer.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
It seems that nothing is a more accurate indicator of my spiritual life than the words I speak. When there is a lack of Joy in God's Word, it is likely because I have not spent time in God's Word, Whatever our minds and hearts are set on, that is what will come out of our lives (and our mouths).
Psalm 141:3
Seat a watch O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips.
Matthew 12:36-37--Jesus speaking
"And I will tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
James 1:26
If you claim to be religious but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. IT is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set of fire by hell itself.
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent.
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Taming Your Tongue
Take Responsibility for your words and begin to exercise restraint--Psalm 39:1
Listen more and speak less--James 1:19
Get rid of iffy language and innapropriate humor--Eph 5:3-4
Refuse to Gossip--Leviticus 19:16
Avoid Arguments--2 Timothy 2:23
**************
Eph 4:29
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragment to those who hear them.
Read Psalm 19:14 and Matthew 12:36-37. Write out a prayer of confession, asking God to forgive your careless use of words.
Take a moment to pray for a friend who you know is going through a tough time. Ask the Lord to give you a verse to encourage him/her. Write him/her a note expressing God's love for him/her..then send it.
Who is the most encouraging person you have ever met? What qualities make him or her that way? What does this person do that encourages you?
Psalm 19:14
May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
I am starting this conversation with a great sense of:
'Teach me God, because there is so much I need to learn here.'
It doesn't take much for relationships to spiral out of control when a harsh word is spoken.
It could even be that our intentions were right and pure.
We just stated them poorly.
We will never know someone else's circumstances.
Which is why we are not to judge.
We are not expected to know!
God Knows!---That's why we call on Him!
In The Book of Acts we read about Barnabas which means
(Son Of Encouragement). After Saul's conversion, the disciples were afraid to meet with him because of his terrible reputation. But Barnabas became the bridge between Saul and the apostles. He saw the potential in Saul, and encouraged that potential into a reality. We are called to do that. To believe the best about people rather than the worst. Despite their reputations, we are called to look at them through the eyes of God, and see what He sees. Assets, not liabilities. Beloved children in need of Grace and Mercy...and a big dose of truth filled love.
Eph 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in Love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the Church.
which leads us to are we...
Qualified to Confront???
We harvest what we plant--
Galatians 6:1-3
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share eachother's burdens, and in this way obey the Law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
We must check our own spirits and make sure we are not in the wrong spirit. We'd do well to examine why we feel compelled to speak:
1--Let us not become conceited.
Thinking we are better and incapable of sin.
2--provoking eachother.
Is my main motivation to prove that this other person is wrong, and I am right. Am I hoping this person will argue so they can be convinced of their sin?
3--envying eachother.
Do I secretly want to see the other person himiliated? Is my truth telling motivated by jealousy? A desire to get even? A need to see the other person exposed?
Calvin Miller explains it like this:
"Malicious truth gloats like a conqueror. Loving Truth mourns that it must confront and show a brother his error. Mailicious truth struts at its power. Loving truth weeps to find that the correction it inspires may for a while cause great pain. Malicious truth cries "Checkmate, you are beaten!" Loving truth whispers, "I correct you with the same pain you feel. But when the pain is over, we shall rejoice that honesty and love have been served.
In order to ensure that we only confront in the right kind of Spirit, it is suggested that we don't do it at all unless we have spent time in fasting and prayer.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
It seems that nothing is a more accurate indicator of my spiritual life than the words I speak. When there is a lack of Joy in God's Word, it is likely because I have not spent time in God's Word, Whatever our minds and hearts are set on, that is what will come out of our lives (and our mouths).
Psalm 141:3
Seat a watch O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips.
Matthew 12:36-37--Jesus speaking
"And I will tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
James 1:26
If you claim to be religious but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. IT is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set of fire by hell itself.
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent.
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Taming Your Tongue
Take Responsibility for your words and begin to exercise restraint--Psalm 39:1
Listen more and speak less--James 1:19
Get rid of iffy language and innapropriate humor--Eph 5:3-4
Refuse to Gossip--Leviticus 19:16
Avoid Arguments--2 Timothy 2:23
**************
Eph 4:29
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragment to those who hear them.
Read Psalm 19:14 and Matthew 12:36-37. Write out a prayer of confession, asking God to forgive your careless use of words.
Take a moment to pray for a friend who you know is going through a tough time. Ask the Lord to give you a verse to encourage him/her. Write him/her a note expressing God's love for him/her..then send it.
Who is the most encouraging person you have ever met? What qualities make him or her that way? What does this person do that encourages you?
Views: 210
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pastor Bob B on
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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I received this devotion today and I thought it went so well with this discussion.
Worthy Words
Sharon Sloan – She Speaks Graduate
“…if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be My spokesperson.”
Jeremiah 15:19 (NIV)
Devotion:
Worthy words. Wow. In this passage of scripture, God was urging Jeremiah to repent so that God could restore him and thus he could serve God again. This particular verse of God’s spoken word to Jeremiah really penetrated my heart as I read it recently. Worthy, valuable, precious words. Words that honor Him and words that are encouraging, founded in His truth and love. He gives words their worth.
Our God allows us to be His spokesperson. How humbling. In His wisdom, He requires that, in order to be His spokesperson, our words must be worthy, not worthless. The King James Version says “precious” words. What an excellent, ageless standard He sets for us to maintain as His children in order that we could be His spokesperson. A spokesperson is someone who represents you and your character well. As this verse resonates in my heart, I ask myself, “Are my words worthy and precious? Am I representing God well and with excellence? Am I allowing Him to mold me so I reflect His character? Am I keeping the bar raised to His standard such that I may be His spokesperson?”
In our home, our rule has been that our words should be based in truth, spoken in love, necessary and kind. Add to this that they must be worthy and precious. How often do I utter words that are worthless and hold no value for anyone? Oh, how I think of the words I have wasted. If my words hold value and worth, they will reflect His character and minister His truth and grace to those around me. If I keep His standards and utter only worthy and precious words, He allows me to represent Him and be His spokesperson. What an awesome privilege and responsibility.
As you go through each day, allow your words, whether they be written, spoken or thought, to go through His filter of requiring worthy, precious words. If those around you have lowered the bar, raise it again to His standard. Humbly meet the challenge to utter only worthy words that represent Him well. You may be His spokesperson.
Faithful Father, by Your grace and in Your faithfulness, allow my words to be worthy and precious. May they be worthy such that I may be Your spokesperson and represent you with excellence. Thank You for Your standards and for Your promises. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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I don't know why you all have a problem with the tongue. It is the easiest member to tame. hahahaha Ohhhh man, the tongue just made me lie hahaahaha
Excellent discussion. I think we need it just about now. LOve you family.
Carla - you the bomb girl. Just don't explode with the tongue hahaha
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Indeed.. desiring and obtaining that Gentle Quiet Spirit which is so precious in the sight of our Lord... goes hand in hand with holding our tongues.
Quite often this is a challenge on the internet as misinterpretations can easily abound and comments can be taken out of context where voices and facial expressions are absent :) (Does that make sense?) :)
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Yes - you make sense.
Writing one’s thoughts in a cogent manner takes a lot of skill. That is one more reason why I enjoy participating in these discussions with you family, because they help me become a better communicator through the mighty pen or keyboard. :)
Without seeing body language and hearing tone statements can easily be misconstrued. So we need to have a clean heart, so we do not take unclear comments as negative ones and give each other the benefit of the doubt and above all else let love reign among us.
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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"MMMMMMMMMMMM" (Practicing holding my tongue and boy do I need practice :-)
Lord Bless,
LT
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BTW, I am not holding my tongue because of anything David said, at least not this time ... hahaha, just practicing and will now go back to that practive ... "MMMMMMMMMMMM"
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HAHAHA
So - my brother from another mother, not this time huh? hahahaha
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David,
This is absolutely true.
Also, in a way we are benefitted by having our discussions in this manner. We get to preview what we are saying before it 'goes out into the world' so to speak. This is a tremendous way to help hold each of us accountable so that we are responsible for our own words (which we will give an account of to God one day). This is great training for us.. God knew what He was doing when He gave us this place. :).....great training grounds....
When we are comunicating verbally, it is much harder in that sense, because we don't get to 'preview' it in the same manner.... Even though we do have the benefit of tone and body language...even in person, we are still often hasty in our replies to others, and therefore suffer from the 'foot in mouth' syndrome.
:) (this is not so pretty) but spiritually this is kinda what it looks like, :)
David, I have been blessed by your posts here.... Keep on keeping on Beloved. :)
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