Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5: 11 ESV If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. That's what my mother used to tell me. Who knew it was Biblical? Paul tells us to make encouragement, building each other up, a regular practice (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV). It doesn't sound so hard until I try. Sin creeps in and I find myself saying something unkind and destructive, just the opposite of my intention.
The Lord, through scripture, calls us to master our mouth because it's the outpouring of the fountain of our heart (James 3: 7-12) . Do our words reflect an outpouring of God's love or reveal the stains of sin? I said something unkind about someone I love... and later I said something unkind to someone I love... What kind of witness is that to others? Do I live as one transformed by Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)? I felt the Holy Spirit (through my conscience) convict me toward repentance (1 John 1:9) and apologized to the person I offended. I need to guard my mouth, though. How can we know if we're in the Spirit or not? We can listen to our words as if we were a stranger. I try to pay attention to my tone, too. Do my words share Jesus' love and grace or do they curdle the heart of their receiver? If my words corrode, it's time to get right with God and repent. Our words can spread the healing love of Christ or help Satan gain a foothold in the hearts of others. By building others up through our words and deeds we worship Jesus, what an awesome privilege. Let's guard our mouths and bring Him glory. To God be the glory, Sarah Will you pray with me? LORD, Christ, let my words and actions be an outpouring from the love You give me. Help me guard my lips and heart so I may worship You and see Your kingdom come. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Reflection: How do I normally sound to others? Would they know I worship Jesus by listening to me? Faith-In-Action: Pray and ask the Lord to guard your mouth and give Him the glory. Practice listening to yourself. Do your words deliver healing or hurt?
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