The hardest thing to control is.......
Anyone that knows me well knows that I tend to speak before I put alot of thinking behind it. Although 99% of the time I am not meaning to be discouraging or speak 'down' to anyone, I just haven't always had the best filter between my brain and my mouth. People that know me well understand that I have always been that way, and to take what I say with a grain of salt if it comes out too harsh, but some have called me brutally honest, blunt, and sometimes even outright rude or harsh. I have gotten so much better at not saying everything I think since Jesus has come into my life, but I still struggle to hold my tongue often. How is it that such a small part of my body can be so unruly and out of control?
As babies we learn to control our neck muscles first, then we grow and learn control of our legs, arms, and everything else that will help us manage through our life. But when do we learn to control our tongue? For me, it was ONLY when Jesus saved me. People that know me saw such a dramatic change in my outlook on life, the activites I would do, how I dressed, and even that I cleaned up my language drastically. BUT, I didn't learn overnight how to hold my tongue the way Jesus expects us to do.
Last month I was shown a scripture that has quickly became one of my "life verses" if not the most important one to me. It is Ephesians 4:29 and it states this: "Let NO corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but (only) that which is good to the use of edifying (uplifting), that is may minister grace unto the hearers". WOW! That really opened my eyes and was alot for me to dwell on. What awesome words of wisdom and what seriously hard instructions for me to follow!
This verse means that God wants ONLY uplifting and encouraging words to come out of MY mouth? Doesn't he know how opinionated and outspoken I am? Well of course he does, but he has called me out of my darkness and lifted me up, not just to change SOME of who I am, but ALL of who I am. I realized that I have to humble myself and let Jesus mold me into who he wants me to be, not who I am, because who I am on my own will never be worthy of his love and mercy.
So, lately I have posted this verse all over my house. A constant reminder to rein in that unruly tongue of mine. Jesus does expect me to control my tongue. He blessed me with the ability to speak in order to praise, worship, and further his kingdom, and not to say even ONE single word that would discourgage someone's spirit. No Im not perfect. Yes, I will slip up. But, I now know what the Lord expects of me in this area of my life and I will forever be trying to live up to his expectations. God Bless
As babies we learn to control our neck muscles first, then we grow and learn control of our legs, arms, and everything else that will help us manage through our life. But when do we learn to control our tongue? For me, it was ONLY when Jesus saved me. People that know me saw such a dramatic change in my outlook on life, the activites I would do, how I dressed, and even that I cleaned up my language drastically. BUT, I didn't learn overnight how to hold my tongue the way Jesus expects us to do.
Last month I was shown a scripture that has quickly became one of my "life verses" if not the most important one to me. It is Ephesians 4:29 and it states this: "Let NO corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but (only) that which is good to the use of edifying (uplifting), that is may minister grace unto the hearers". WOW! That really opened my eyes and was alot for me to dwell on. What awesome words of wisdom and what seriously hard instructions for me to follow!
This verse means that God wants ONLY uplifting and encouraging words to come out of MY mouth? Doesn't he know how opinionated and outspoken I am? Well of course he does, but he has called me out of my darkness and lifted me up, not just to change SOME of who I am, but ALL of who I am. I realized that I have to humble myself and let Jesus mold me into who he wants me to be, not who I am, because who I am on my own will never be worthy of his love and mercy.
So, lately I have posted this verse all over my house. A constant reminder to rein in that unruly tongue of mine. Jesus does expect me to control my tongue. He blessed me with the ability to speak in order to praise, worship, and further his kingdom, and not to say even ONE single word that would discourgage someone's spirit. No Im not perfect. Yes, I will slip up. But, I now know what the Lord expects of me in this area of my life and I will forever be trying to live up to his expectations. God Bless
That is a really wonderful challenge... to speak only words which edify and build up and draw others closer to Him.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the power of prayer... because
Jam 1:17 NKJV - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Thanks for sharing. It is so wonderful to be reminded of the power of our words and how we should use them.