How can we emulate "true instruction" in our daily conversations with others? The Standard Set by Malachi 2:6 “True instruction was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from iniquity.” Levi’s example paints four traits we can carry into every conversation: • True instruction on our lips • No injustice or falsehood mixed in • A walk that matches our words—peaceful and upright • An influence that gently turns others from sin Guarding Our Lips: Deliver Only What Is True • Speak what God has said, not personal speculation (Jeremiah 23:28–29). • Measure every statement against Scripture’s clear teaching (Psalm 119:160). • Resist exaggeration, flattery, or half-truths; they erode credibility (Proverbs 12:22). Walking in Peace and Uprightness • Match tone to content—truth without harshness (Ephesians 4:15). • Pursue reconciliation quickly; unresolved friction weakens witness (Matthew 5:23-24). • Live consistently so that your life validates your words (Philippians 2:14-16). Turning Others from Iniquity through Conversation • Bring sin into the light gently, aiming for restoration (Galatians 6:1). • Share the hope of forgiveness in Christ, not mere moral advice (1 Peter 3:15). • Celebrate repentance; encourage the first step back toward holiness (Luke 15:7). Practical Steps for Daily Speech 1. Begin each day with a passage to guide your talk; let it season everything that follows. 2. Ask, before speaking: “Is this accurate? Is it loving? Will it edify?” (1 Corinthians 14:26). 3. Keep your promises, even small ones; broken words breed cynicism (Psalm 15:4). 4. Listen deeply; understanding precedes instruction (Proverbs 18:13). 5. When you fail, confess promptly and model repentance (James 5:16). Scriptures to Keep on Your Tongue • Psalm 19:14 — “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord.” • Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” • Proverbs 16:24 — “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Let every conversation reflect the same “true instruction” that flowed from Levi’s mouth—truthful, just, peace-filled, and redemptive. |
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