The other day I was reading in the Psalms. As I read Psalm 141, verse 3 really stood out to me. It says
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Wow. That is a short verse with a powerful message. I don’t know about you but at least once a day something (that something being words) comes out of my lips that shouldn’t. It might be an unkind word about a friend. It might be an angry word to my daughter. It might be something dismissive to a clerk in a store. It might be a sarcastic comeback to someone’s legitimate comment. It might just be a word of agreement to a bit of gossip.
Have you ever stopped to think just how powerful words are? I have always believed that words, that language, have the power to shape the way we think. Our words may have a huge impact on what others think or what others believe. When I think about how powerful words are and how easy it is to say the wrong thing it can be scary. I mean we always talk about how a bomb can be launched with a single push of a button. Aren’t our words like that-a single word can change a relationship, can tear someone down?
In the same way, an encouraging word can bring a smile. It can build up someone who is feeling down. It can bring hope to someone who is hopeless. Jesus’ words brought hope and faith and love to those who heard them.
I really wish God could set a guard over my lips and some buzzer or something would go off when I was about to say something I will regret. But you know, I think God has given me the ability, with God’s help, to guard my lips. I have been praying that God would help me think before I speak. Think before I agree with an unkind comment. Think before I neglect to say something kind to someone is a down. And certainly think before I say anything that does not glorify God.
I hope you have a great week. And that you will think about your words and how powerful they can be.
No comments:
Post a Comment