Downloads from the Lord: The Spoken Word, Part Three
Well-known Christian authors, teachers and seminar speakers, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, indicate that through their research they have discovered that 77% of our self-talk tends to be negative. If that is true, and we talk to ourselves so negatively, it becomes very easy to let the words of our mouth become negative as well. Hence the Bible has much to say about choosing our words carefully; because our words bring about either positive or negative results.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Psalm 141:3 (ESV)
3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
4The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)
19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
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.
Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)
1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Colossians 3:8 (ESV)
8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
James 3:8-10 (NIV)
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Proverbs 15:2 (ESV)
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
So far the scriptures we have looked at certainly encourage us to take our self-talk and spoken words seriously. When our God spends this much time talking about our words, it behooves us to pay attention.
Up to this point however, we are yet to view some of the more powerful Bible passages pertaining to our words. In the next post I will be sharing some of those passages. Be sure to tune in to that upcoming post, and you will see how very serious almighty God views our words. After all, He created everything with His spoken Word!