Speech

I really think that God has been trying to drive into my thick head the importance of speech. The words we chose to use are so powerful, they can build people up, tear them down, encourage them, or hinder them. I think Christ being called the "Word of God" in John 1 is not a coincidence, words are powerful, they carry significance.
So how am I using my words?

God gave me the words to speak to two people, whom I care very deeply about, today in a way that was encouraging and pointed them back to His truth. These were things He has been graciously teaching me, and placed in my mind to speak back to them. God is so good to me, I do not deserve it. He used me today to help two of His daughters be encouraged through difficult things.

God also showed me that I must be very careful in my speech:
Tonight I basically tore down my youngest sister completely unintentionally. I had no idea that the words I was using were the very ones that were cutting to her core...that is, until she started crying. She was not mad at me, but rather very hurt. Only then did I realize that although what I had been saying was true, it was not edifying. I was giving her information that was only hurtful and that she could in no way apply to her life or change anything. By God's grace He allowed me to use that as an opportunity to really listen to her, and in turn pour into her, encourage her, and reminder her that although she is only 12, God has her at this stage of life for a reason. To encourage her not to wish her life away, but find joy and thankfulness at the stage she is in right now.

The words I ended up saying I had no idea I was going to say at the beginning of that conversation. God has been gracious to me in giving me words to say, even when I begin wrong. That's not to say I don't still have a very long way to go, but it is encouraging to me to see that God seems to be using me to help uplift other people. I don't say this to toot my own horn. I am not eloquent in speech, I often fail to be loving in my word choice, I have not succeeded in taming my tongue (James 3:1-18), however, God has used me, in my weakness, to encourage others or even rebuke them sometimes (Proverbs 27:5). I bring this up because it's good for me to be reminded that God does use me, weak and sinful as I am, to help His other children.

With this I am reminded to "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29). As well as "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit" (Psalm 34:13). And " For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit" (1 Peter 3:10).

With these in mind, Christ warns us that out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:33-37), and I must stay connected to the tree of life, the giver of wisdom (James 1:5-6), the Word of life, in order to be used for the Kingdom of my God and Savior.

Dear Lord,
You are the Word, You are all wisdom. May I learn to love Your truth and knowledge. May it burn on my heart. Lord, use my mouth, my words to spread Your love. Teach me to speak kindly, to encourage, to edify. I am a sinner and I fail, and I fail all the more for trying to rely on my own strength or being conceited. Lord teach me to listen to You, and the things You have taught me as well as be able to share them with others. Teach me to rely on You, grow in You, delight in You and Your ways, love, peace, joy, rebuke, hope, growth. You are God. You are all knowledge and wisdom. Use me God for Your kingdom. With love, to Love,
in the glorious name of my wonderful redeemer, Christ Jesus, Amen.