How can we discern when our words resemble "a blustering wind"? \Setting the Scene\ Job 8:2: “How long will you speak these things, and the words of your mouth be a blustering wind?” Bildad’s challenge exposes the danger of speech that roars like a gust but carries no life-giving rain. \Spotting the Symptoms of Windy Words\ • High volume, low value—lots of sound, little substance (Proverbs 10:19) • Exaggeration or hyperbole meant to impress rather than inform (Matthew 5:37) • Criticism that vents frustration instead of seeking restoration (Proverbs 12:18) • Self-promotion disguised as spiritual insight (James 3:14) \Searching Our Motives\ • Am I aiming to win an argument or win a brother? (Philippians 2:3) • Do I crave attention more than truth? (Proverbs 27:2) • Is my anger driving my speech? (James 1:19-20) \Testing the Substance of Our Speech\ • Truthful? — “Speak truth each one with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). • Helpful? — “Only what is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). • Seasoned? — “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). \Listening for the Effect on Others\ • Do listeners leave encouraged or deflated? (1 Thessalonians 5:11) • Is strife stirred up or peace strengthened? (Proverbs 15:18) • Are hearts pointed to Christ or to controversy? (Hebrews 12:2) \Submitting Our Tongues to God\ • Daily surrender—“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth” (Psalm 141:3). • Spirit dependence—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Scripture saturation—“Your word I have hidden in my heart” (Psalm 119:11). \Cultivating Words That Carry Weight\ • Speak slowly, think deeply (James 1:19). • Let gentleness displace bluster (Proverbs 15:1). • Aim for edification, not exhibition (Romans 14:19). • Anchor every conversation in the character of Christ, whose words “are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). |
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