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words we use


May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Check your words.  Would the words you use to those around you or about yourself be what brings honor to God?  Really think about it.  Often we are flippant about the words we use, and it can go in many different directions.

I heard a pastor recently talk about the word love.  He said, and I agree, that we use the word love far too often.  We say we love this or that like donuts or pizza or the beach.  In the next breath or soon we say we love God.  It is difficult for us and others to know what we mean by love when we use it as such.

Words can go the other direction as well.  Many people use curse words and derogatory words all the time.  Whether in jest or honest, it is common place to put people down or to call people names.  No, I am not talking about the words that children use on the playground, but I would suggest that the words that children use often mirror the words that the adults around them use.

The old phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” could not be further from the truth.  Words stick with us.  The conversations where we allow the junk to come out of our mouths cannot be taken back.  People will remember what you say.  Even more people will remember how we make them feel.

Our words either give or take value from the people around us.  Choose words and life for yourself and the people you are around.  Change your words.  Make your conversations count.  It is time to stop callously using our words.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Here is a good test for the words you use.  Are they abusive?  Do they encourage people to be better?

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Here is another test.  Do your words make you look like a wise person or a fool?

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

What you think about you are going to talk about.  I pray that my words do great things, open doors and add value.  I pray that I will be careful to be wise as I choose my words.

Let me turn in one more direction before I close.  It is often hard to forgive people who abuse you with their words, but we can forgive.  It is also each to believe the words that people use about you.  Don’t accept or hold on the wrong word and wrong things that people say about you.

Use the tests.  Speak what is true.  Accept what is wise and makes you strong.

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