In what ways can we ensure our words align with God's will today? Setting the scene Numbers 22:38: “Balaam said to Balak, ‘Look, I have come to you now. But can I say anything I please? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.’” Why Balaam’s resolve speaks to us today • Balaam, though imperfect, recognized a boundary: only God’s words were safe words. • The same principle threads through Scripture—God alone defines truth (Psalm 119:160). • Jesus echoed it: “I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me” (John 8:28). Why our words matter • Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). • “Every careless word” will be brought into account (Matthew 12:36). • Words reveal the heart (Luke 6:45); aligning speech with God aligns the heart with Him. Practical ways to align our speech with God’s will 1. Soak in Scripture • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). • Regular reading, memorizing, and meditating primes the mouth to echo truth. 2. Pray before you speak • David’s plea fits every conversation: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth” (Psalm 141:3). • A brief inner prayer slows rash reactions (James 1:19). 3. Rely on the Spirit’s prompting • “The Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12). • Sensitivity to His nudge curbs flesh-driven talk. 4. Choose edifying language • “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). • Ask: Will this comment strengthen faith, offer grace, or solve a problem? 5. Speak truth in love • Truth without love wounds; love without truth misleads (Ephesians 4:15). • Marry accuracy to compassion. 6. Embrace timely silence • Even Jesus stayed quiet before Herod (Luke 23:9). • When words won’t honor God or help others, withholding speech is obedience. 7. Confess quickly when you fail • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). • Repentance resets the tongue for righteous use. Daily checkpoints for God-honoring speech • Did my words today reflect God’s character? • Were they saturated with Scripture? • Did they show love and truth together? • Did they build up rather than tear down? • Was I willing to stay silent when speaking would harm? Encouraging models • Moses—reluctant, yet spoke as God directed (Exodus 4:12). • Jeremiah—youthful, yet God “put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9). • Peter—bold after Pentecost, speaking “as one who serves by the strength God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11). • Paul—prayed for utterance “to fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19). Closing encouragement As Balaam discovered, safety and blessing lie in saying only what God supplies. Saturate the heart with His Word, yield to His Spirit, and your tongue will increasingly echo heaven’s truth on earth. |
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