WHY YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY

WHY YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY Oh goodness, I have a lot to say about this topic! I don't get upset very often, in fact, it's rare for me to get upset. But when I do....look out! I am quick to lash out. I'm quick to really sting you with my words. I hold it in and then BOOM, I'm a psycho.

What I've learned, the hard way, is that even when I pray for the words, sometimes they are not coming from the Holy Spirit. Even if I feel like the Holy Spirit has given me clarity and wisdom on what to say, my ego can get in the way, and then BOOM, I'm a psycho. When my words hurt someone, they are not coming from the Holy Spirit. I'm not talking about stepping on someone's toes with the truth, I'm speaking about saying hurtful things. Those words do not come from God.

I wrote about this before, but somethings we say that we think are coming from Him, are actually coming from bitterness.

Our words matter. With every word you utter, think first. Examine your motives. Determine the impact. If you aren’t building up, being kind, even-tempered, truthful in love – choose silence. If your words do not improve the silence, then don’t share and instead pray for the “mind of Christ”. 1 Corinthians 2:16

NOW, COME AND PRAY ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY… “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips…May my lips overflow with praise for You teach me Your decrees. May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous.

Indeed, may Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts… And, may these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 141:3,119:171-173,19:14

TAKE NOTE OF THIS: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires… Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone…

What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them… The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

James 1:19-20; Colossians 4:6; Matthew 15:11; Psalm 37:30-31

HOW TO DO THIS AS A WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Day One: Experience Read the entire devotion. Do any verses stand out to you? If so, write it down and work on memorizing it over the week. I personally love the app “Scripture Typer.” Day Two: Observe & Read Chain. Look up and chain verses (For example on how to chain verses, see this video). Day Three: Interpret Read through the chain of verses starting with the first one. What do they say? Do you notice when it says “never” or “always” or “If, but, however, therefore, all…..” Day Four: Application Do “Your turn” and make a list of people that God has put on your heart when you read this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires… Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone…