You have tremendous Power within you. The Power of words. As humans, we use words as one way to communicate to one another. Words can be used to build people up, or completely crush their spirit. So what do we do about it?
Choose your words carefully. In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
That is a pretty big deal. So the Bible not only tells us to use wholesome speech to build each other up, but to also refrain of speaking words that make for careless and idle conversations. Our conversations should have meaning, and there should always be a purpose for speaking.
I have adopted a motto that I try to live by, and it has made my life much simpler to say the least.
“Mean what you say, and say what you mean.”
The first part, mean what you say, is simply stating that when you say you are going to do something….Do it. Follow through with your words, promises, and commitments. Believe it or not, there was a time when your word meant something, and if you said you were going to do something then you really did it. I think everyone would benefit if we got back to the lifestyle that whenever we say we will do something, we do it.
The second part, say what you mean could possibly be the more difficult of the two. If you get caught up in the heat of the moment and say something disrespectful that you normally would not say in a different context, there is no way to take those words back. The solution?
Mean what you say! When speaking to someone there is no reason to beat around the bush, just be clear and tell them what you want to tell them. It might not be easy, but it will help eliminate some of the possibilities for miscommunications.
If you would like to read one of my previous posts that covers a different angle on this topic, I would love for you to click here.
Here is something to remember; Sometimes the very best thing you can do is simply not say anything at all. Learn and ask God for discernment to know when to speak and when to keep silent, for there is a time for both.
Soli Deo gloria
