Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 13, 2014
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36–37
My words are a reflection of my heart. When Christ captures my heart, my words are measured and meaningful. A heart pregnant with the Lord’s purpose produces good fruit for its recipients. When my heart avoids the Almighty’s instruction, my words become careless. They wound and bring harm to hearers who receive my insensitivity.
We communicate better when we understand the gravity of undisciplined speech. There is an accountability to God that will one day gauge what we have said. No idle word will miss the microscope of our Master’s judgment. “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The Holy Spirit bridles our tongues with words of great worth.
So does your speech represent your Savior well? Do your words incubate in a heart of intimacy with God and accountability to man? Like a thoughtful and creative artist, use your words to paint a picture that provides understanding and instruction. Prepare your heart in prayer before you speak in a meeting or prior to a performance review. At home, resolve to be respectful in all matters of conversation and others will reciprocate.
Careless words are best corralled by Christ’s calming presence. When He seasons our speech with grace, there is a gravitas that gains the attention of the most unsuspecting souls. It is when the Lord speaks through us that we experience the best communication. Indeed, a humble heart full of Christ’s courage carries the right words at the right time. Speak with bold clarity, and trust God with the results. Convert careless words to kind ones.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6 nkjv).
Prayer: Are my words measured in prayer? Do I speak with accountability to God in mind?
Related Readings: Psalm 139:4; Proverbs 18:21; Job 15:3; Ephesians 5:4
Taken from the April 13th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 1” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
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I am praying that God guides my tongue so I speak truthfully all the time
Dear Sam~ Thank you for sharing your sincere comment about God “guiding your tongue”. May I share that prayer with you for my own tongue? (And I have a feeling many fellow wisdom hunters share that prayer!)I loved the scripture verse at the end of the devotional:
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one”. Colossians 4:6
Thank you, Sam.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne