DEVOTIONAL: Let the Words of my Mouth
DEVOTIONAL: The Words of my Mouth
This may not be a very popular devotion but maybe someone needs to hear it or share it. It has been very difficult to even scroll through my social media feeds over the past few weeks. So many of the posts that I have been seeing are spewing much hate and unkindness because of disagreements in views and beliefs. It has been a harsh battle!
It is ok that we are on opposite sides in our views or beliefs, but it’s NOT ok that we spew hate and ugly words at one another because of our differences. Yes, stand up for what you believe in but as a Christian we are called to do so in love, prayer, and kindness….. yes, even to those we don’t like or agree with.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 Do you think it is acceptable and pleasing to God what we are seeing today? What is said, shows the very heart of a person. It also shows others about our walk with God…..what are others seeing in your walk with Christ?
As a Christian, we are required to be different than the world, to be set apart, to be the light in the darkness. That means we must be kind and show restraint in our words and actions. I can only imagine the grief that many have caused the heart of God over the past few weeks with their words. It is incomprehensible and not how you should spread your message. I have always been a believer of standing up for what you believe in and I believe God wants us to stand up as well and speak truth but when we do, it must be done in love and not with aggression as to bring anger or strife with others. I don’t care what anyone else does or says….the change starts with me, the loves starts with me, the kindness starts with me. Let me tell you right now, that person you dislike, that person you disagree with or that person that you are arguing with…. they are not going to stand in your place when you stand before God. You will not be judged by what THEY did or said; you will be judged on what YOU did or said and how you treated others! Let that one sink in!
Our mouth speaks what our heart is full of….is your heart full of bitterness, unkindness, anger, strife and hate or is your heart full of compassion, kindness and love? What does the world see when they see you?
All you have to do is open the bible to Ephesians 4:29-32 and you will understand what God requires of us. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
If we want to see change in the world we must start with ourselves and BE the change. Yes, that even means the people we don’t agree with! Kindness and love drives away wrath! If you are going to be like Christ, you have to follow what HIS word says and love those that you don’t agree with, pray for those who spitefully use you and be kind to even those who you don’t like. Yes, that is what the bible tells us to do, and what God requires us to do as a Christian.The Bible clearly teaches us how we are to treat others, talk to others and BE to others! Sometimes the best way to do that is to walk away or keep scrolling! Be the light, be the difference, be what Jesus wants YOU to be regardless of what anyone else does or says!
The Bible tells us to seek peace and PURSUE it! If you are arguing with your neighbor, your husband, your family, your friends or someone on social media then you are not pursing peace. The tongue is a powerful thing. It can put us in the midst of the fire or it can set us on a course to peace. Which will you choose?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father I ask you to search my heart today and cleanse me of anything that may be bringing me to a place of strife with others. Lord I ask you to let the words of my mouth be acceptable unto you and to help bring life to others. Where I have been unkind and said hurtful things, I ask you to forgive me and help me to right the wrong that I have caused. I ask you to help me forgive others who have said hurtful things to me in anger. Lord I ask you to let others see you living in me by my words, in my actions and how I treat others so that I may bring glory and honor to you always. Help me be the change that I want to see in others. I ask all these things in Jesus name….Amen!
Bible Verses
Matthew 12:36
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
James 3:6
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
James 3:9-10
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
Psalms 34:13-14
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
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