Grace-Filled Speech

 

You make me sick!  It’s your fault!  You always do this!  You get on my nerves!  I can’t stand you!  You are just like your father!  I hate I ever knew you!  Shut up!  Leave me alone! 

 

Do these words sound like something you’ve seen in a movie?  What about in your life?  What about coming from your heart and out of your mouth?  Whether giving or receiving, whether gossip or praise, words can be a blessing or a beast of burden, simply because words have immense influence in the day-to-day affairs of life.  Words have such powerful influence that many people including the body of Christ are still living under the control of those words as if they were under a spell. 

 

Briefly look at the unfortunate displays of words: 

Gossip                                      Putting others down                     Bragging/Boasting

Manipulating                             False teaching                              Exaggerating

Complaining                             Flattering                                      Lying

Praising evil deeds                    Ridicule                                        Sarcasm

 

As you can see, the words that come from our mouths reflect upon us more than any other facet of our lives.  So what should we do with our tongue and how should we use our words?  Paul says it best: 

 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to respond to each person.

Colossians 4:6

 

In actuality our speech should be flavored with care, concern and comfort, for no one wants to be the recipient of unhealthy and demoralizing speech.  So what do we do:

 

a.  Speak to others in a way that honors Christ. 

Ø      Would Christ say that?

b.  Speak to others in a way that we would like to be spoken to. 

Ø      Put the need(s) of others before yourself.

c.  Find something positive to say rather than negative. 

Ø      Build up before you tear down.

d.  Speak truth with love. 

Ø      Truth without love is condemnation.

e.  Rehearse your words. 

Ø      Determine if it need to be said, if so, when should you say what need to be said, and how should you say it. 

 

Remember the power of the tongue should be used for good and believers are encouraged to use words to influence others for the cause of Christ. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 18:21

Blessings & Much Love!

 

Pastor Thomas