Words

“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  

Matthew 12:37

Words matter.  Encouraging words build up and critical words tear down.  I’ve received both and, unfortunately, I’ve given both.  I just wasn’t paying attention to what I was speaking to myself or to others.  Many times I was just talking for the sake of saying something.  A foolish thing to do. I just wasn’t thinking.  Thankfully, through my years of walking with the Lord, He has put a guard over my mouth and has answered my daily prayer. “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)  I realized that speaking His words given to me by the Holy Spirit or remaining silent when no words were given was always right.  They were life-giving words or silence.  Christ was heard and seen, not me.  Talking to myself and others became much more positive, Truth-filled and encouraging as Christ was lifted up, not me.  Now that is what I was striving for!  Gotta love the lessons of the Lord and the wonderful changes He makes in a willing heart!  Though I still have much to learn about speaking and silence, I’m not who I was in this area and that makes me smile.  Thank You, Lord!

“And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”  Psalm 12:6

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”  Psalm 119:130