Vol. 15 No. 8
Dear Friend,
One of most beautiful things written about speech may be found in
the Book of Proverbs: A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver [Pr 25:11 NIV].
Wow! To be able to say the
right word, the helpful word, the encouraging, correcting, guiding, blessing
word is like apples of gold set forth in a stunning and beautiful way.
There is something incredibly powerful about our words.
Reflect for a moment on the nature of your own speech.
Do your words reveal you to be a believer, a blesser, a builder,
an encourager, a teacher, a counselor, a consoler?
Do your words show you to be a curser, a grumbler, a complainer, a
blamer?
Perhaps you are a little bit of all of these things, the
up-builder and the tear-downer.
James wrote, "With
the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have
been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and
cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:9-10 NIV).
The way we manage our mouths is in itself a "good work"
by which we give evidence that we are believers in and followers of Jesus
Christ.
Allow the Holy Spirit become the Master of your tongue so that
what you say and how you say it may build people and honor the Lord.
E. Stanley Ott
