In what ways can we ensure our words align with God's will today? \God-Put Words: The Pattern From Numbers 23:5\ “Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth and said, ‘Go back to Balak and say what I tell you.’” If the Lord could guide Balaam, He can certainly guide us. The call is to let Him “put” the right words in our mouths every day. \Why Our Words Matter\ • Proverbs 18:21—“Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” • Matthew 12:36—Every careless word will be reviewed before God. • Ephesians 4:29—Speech is meant to “bring grace to those who listen.” Because words carry eternal weight, aligning them with God’s will is non-negotiable. \1. Saturate Your Heart With Scripture\ • Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” • 2 Timothy 3:16—Scripture equips for “every good work,” including godly speech. Practical helps: - Read aloud; hearing your own voice speak Scripture trains your tongue. - Memorize key “mouth” verses (Psalm 19:14; James 1:19; Ephesians 4:29). - Keep a verse card where you talk the most—office, kitchen, driver’s seat. \2. Listen First, Speak Second\ • James 1:19—“Quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Proverbs 18:13—Answering before listening is folly. Give the Holy Spirit space to filter impulses: a silent pause, a brief prayer, even a deep breath that says, “Lord, guide these next words.” \3. Yield to the Spirit’s Prompting\ • Ephesians 4:30—Guard your speech so you “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” Indicators you are yielding: - A check in your conscience before a rash comment. - An inner nudge to encourage, bless, or share truth—even when inconvenient. - Words that echo Scripture rather than culture. \4. Test Words by Truth and Love\ • Ephesians 4:15—“Speaking the truth in love.” • 1 Corinthians 13:1—Without love, eloquence is noise. Before speaking, silently ask: - Is it true? (conforms to Scripture) - Is it loving? (aims for another’s good) - Is it necessary? (builds up, prevents harm) \5. Guard the Heart to Guard the Mouth\ • Luke 6:45—“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” • Psalm 19:14—Pray that both “words” and “meditation” please God. Cultivate: - Confession: clear out bitterness, envy, lust—roots of toxic speech. - Praise: worship songs train the heart to overflow with gratitude. - Gratitude journal: a thankful heart naturally speaks life. \6. Invite Accountability\ • Proverbs 27:17—“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Ways to practice: - Ask a trusted believer to flag unwholesome talk. - Share speech goals in a small group; review progress monthly. - Model teachability—accept correction without defensiveness. \7. Aim Every Word Toward Gospel Purpose\ • 1 Peter 3:15—Be “prepared to give a defense” of your hope. • Colossians 3:17—“Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Speech checkpoints: - Does this comment make Christ attractive? - Will it open or close doors to gospel conversations? - Does it reflect the character of the One whose name I carry? \A Simple Daily Pattern\ Morning: 1. Read a short passage aloud. 2. Ask the Lord to “put” His words in your mouth for the day. Throughout the day: 3. Pause before replying; breathe a quick “Guide me, Lord.” 4. Speak only words that pass the truth-love-necessity test. Evening: 5. Review conversations; confess missteps, thank God for victories. 6. Meditate on one verse to carry into tomorrow. \Encouragement to Persevere\ Progress is measured conversation by conversation. Each yielded word reinforces the habit of speaking God’s mind. As Balaam learned, a surrendered mouth becomes a channel for blessing no matter the pressure to do otherwise. |
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