Say whaaat???

Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.”

I love words! We use them to name children, communicate our deepest joys and heaviest sorrows, solve the daily New York Times puzzles, dominate in “Poetry for Neanderthals” (one of my favorite games), describe experiences, and compose beautiful lyrics. Words help us understand, bridge cultural barriers, navigate unfamiliar roads, retell stories from generation to generation, and so much more!! Words are also an integral part of the way God creates and how we relate to the Lord! Today, I’m excited to reflect on the power of spoken word.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and when God spoke, things came to be (see Genesis 1).  This isn’t just a thing of the past! From the genesis of creation, through Jesus calling his disciples and healing people of infirmities, as well as speaking to and prophesying through the children of God in our present age, the word of the Lord still holds the power to shift atmospheres, and it always will! (see Isaiah 40:8) When empowered by the Holy Spirit, our words have the power to enrich lives, fan into flame the gift of God in our neighbors, bring healing, instill hope, and call into being what does not yet exist. When we operate out of an ungodly heart posture, our words have the power to destroy communities, demean neighbors, fuel unhealthy rhythms of gossip, quench hope, hurt feelings, and hinder life. If we aren’t mindful of the words we speak, receive, repeat, reflect and build our lives on, we might discover moments where we have not been a faithful steward. I confess, I am not always a faithful steward of my words. Humbly, I receive the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness to walk in the light with Him, choosing a more faithful way to live. 

PROVERBS 18:21 ESV

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Considering Proverbs 18:21 and faithful stewardship of speech,  If you were to eat the “fruit" your tongue produces, what would it taste like? Would it be sweet? Bitter? …Bittersweet? Unripe? Overripe? Ripe?… Would your fruit bring a smile or delight to the ones who eat it? Would those who ate this fruit have consumed life or death? 

If I were to plainly describe these categories, I’d describe them as such:

Sweet: most desired (hopefully); uplifting; positive; life-giving; edifying; helpful; honest

Bitter: least desired (hopefully); unkind; negative; destructive; keeps a record of wrongdoing; deceitful

Bittersweet: riddled with complaint but occasionally looking on the bright side, speaking the truth without love; inconsistent influence

Unripe: spoken too soon; underdeveloped or careless speech

Overripe: spoken too late; thoughts/feelings that have been stuffed inside for too long; bitterness and unforgiveness linger in the heart

Ripe: well-timed; shared with honor and respect; truth spoken in love; encouraging even if offering correction

If we’re honest, there are times when it’s easier to desire or choose something bitter, rather than sweet. There are moments when everything within (some of) us would prefer to wait until things “pass over and get better with time”. This is not the inheritance of the children of God. We are called to a fuller life in Jesus Christ. 

It almost feels hypocritical to be sharing about this because my speech is not always "sweet & ripe". I am actively repenting of this inconsistency because I have moments where the words of my mouth and meditations of heart fall in one or multiple of the categories above that I am not proud of. Yet, I praise the Lord for the grace to walk more faithfully with Him, day by day, remembering that I am a new creation in Him, called to LIFE. My hope in sharing this today is not to condemn or shame your speech patterns, but to invite you to journey with me in this.

The Lord has been teaching me to be careful with my words and what I entertain/tolerate in conversations. If not vigilant, it is entirely too easy to be passive, allow gossip to prevail, or make a borderline mean joke for the sake of being “funny”. This ought not be so…(see Matthew 12:33-37) Jesus was very intentional with his words, and they always matched his actions. I want to live like that, too! Scripture is clear on how we are to steward our speech. To name a few:

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:13-14 ESV

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 ESV

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 ESV 

So, what are some practical steps you can take to more faithfully steward your words? Start with one thing and commit to it. It doesn't have to be a huge change. Small progress is still progress made. In faith, watch how God honors and multiplies your faithfulness! If you need help brainstorming, please reach out to me!

I am going to start by honoring the inclination to not say something when I know it is best to keep it to myself. Conversely, I will honor someone else in moments where they are hesitant to mention something by not convincing them to share it despite their conviction to not speak on it. This will help prevent gossip or unkind speech from happening.

Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life that we never could, willingly died the death that we deserved as a consequence for our sins, and rose to life! All this so we would be forgiven + freed from sin, and know the love God has for us! When we believe in Jesus, receive the power of the Holy Spirit, put to death what is earthly in us, and walk in freedom...everything changes! We receive eternal relationship with God!!

This relationship with God not only invites us to discover who we truly are, but also to pour out the Father’s love to the people around us as we surrender our will and ways to the Lord. This includes family, coworkers, fellow believers, unbelievers, strangers, foreigners in our midst, the blind, deaf, sick, widowed, orphaned, imprisoned, unhoused, and more. The way we honor people with our actions matters AND it matters that our words align with the way we treat people. 

Therefore, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:22-25 ESV 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

Romans 12:1-2 ESV

To steward the moment and each other well, we must be faithful stewards of our words. Let it be true that we are a company of believers resolved to surrendering the posture of our hearts, the meditations of our minds, and the words on our lips unto the living God who spoke life into existence, and empowers us too, to speak life…abundantly! 

THANK YOU FOR READING :)

Will you prayerfully consider helping me become a faithful steward of people and moments on the mission field in Nashville, Tennessee? I am currently in full-time missions, working part-time without consistent income, and I am not able to support myself.

As an integral part of my support team, my aim is to pray for and encourage you, too! If you can support me monetarily, you are helping meet my biggest practical needs. If you able to support through prayer and encouragement, you are helping meet my biggest spiritual needs. To endure, I need both. 

I’m praying for 15-20 people who believe in what God is doing globally, want to be part of finishing the Great Commission, and are able to give $80-100/month. 

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