How can we ensure our words align with God's will, as Balaam's did? Verse Focus: Numbers 23:16—A Word Put in the Mouth “And the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth, saying, ‘Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.’” Why Our Words Matter to God • Words reveal the heart; Luke 6:45 underscores that “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” • Words carry life or death; Proverbs 18:21 notes, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” • God desires speech that reflects His character; Ephesians 4:29 calls for words that “build up” and “give grace.” Principles for Aligning Our Words with God’s Will • Submission before speech – Proverbs 16:1 affirms, “The reply of the tongue is from the LORD.” – Like Balaam, yield your agenda so God can “put a word” in your mouth. • Scripture saturation – Colossians 3:16 urges, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” – Daily intake of Scripture tunes the heart to heaven’s frequency. • Spirit dependence – Isaiah 50:4 shows the Servant receiving “the tongue of disciples” morning by morning. – Pray for the Spirit to govern every conversation. • Intentional silence – James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” – Pausing creates space for discernment. • Integrity in every context – Numbers 22:38 records Balaam’s resolve: “Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” – Consistency honors God whether before friends or foes. • Edifying purpose – Ephesians 4:29 frames the test: does the sentence build up and impart grace? – Replace idle chatter with speech that points to Christ. Guarding the Heart, Guiding the Tongue • Regular self-examination using Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth… be pleasing in Your sight.” • Confession when words misalign; 1 John 1:9 assures cleansing and fresh starts. • Accountability with mature believers who gently correct off-course speech (Proverbs 27:6). Living It Out Together • Memorize key verses (Proverbs 21:23; James 3:8-10) to recall in critical moments. • Begin conversations with an inward acknowledgment of God’s presence. • Celebrate testimonies of times God redirected your words, reinforcing trust in His guidance. |
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