[Have you ever observed someone who is all talk and no action? There are those who spend more time bragging about what they are going to do than actually doing it. They typically never get anywhere. "A dream comes through much activity, and a fools voice is known by his many words." (Ecclesiastes 5:3) Dreams don't come true when more time is spent talking about them than praying and working towards achieving them.
Have you ever been around someone who is angry, crass or ungodly in their speech? Their bad language gives the listeners a sick uncomfortable feeling and they don't want to be around them. "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31) The good things of life seem to overlook those who have nothing good coming out of their mouths.
Have you known someone who complains all the time? No matter what's happening they find something negative to grumble about. "Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15) Negative words bring negative results and seldom turn out right for a person who continually uses them.
Are you acquainted with someone who is quick to speak yet does not seriously consider what they are saying. They blurt out words without weighing the effect of them. "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil" (Proverbs 15:28) "Do you see a man with hasty words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 29:20) Much grief is in the future of anyone who doesn't consider the consequences of their spoken words.
Have you seen a person speak discouragement and pain into someone - a spouse, a child, a friend, a co-worker? "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit."(Proverbs 18:21) That person will bring destruction into their own life because of it.Our words can justify or condemn us (Matthew 12:37) They can bring us joy (Proverbs 15:23) or corrupt and dishonor us (Matthew 15:11) What we say can either build up or break down the soul of whomever we are speaking to. (Proverbs 15:4) The consequences of what we speak are so great that our words can lead us to ruin or save our lives. (Proverbs 13:3)Everyone has a choice about what he or she says, and there are rewards for making the right one. "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23)
Listen to the way you, your spouse, your children, and your friends talk . What comes out of their mouths has to do with the condition of their hearts. "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) If you hear yourself, or these others, complaining, speaking negatively, talking like a fool, or speaking words that bring destruction and death, you(they) are suffering from negative heart overflow. Pray for the Holy Spirit's conviction, and to fill up that heart with His love, peace and joy and to teach the speaker a new way to talk.
Prayer
Lord, I pray your Holy Spirit would guard (my mouth and Drason's)mouth, so that we (he/she) will speak only words that edify and bring life. Help us (me/them) not to be grumblers, complainers, users of foul language, or people who destroy with our words, but be disciplined enough to keep our conversation godly. Your word says a man who desires long life must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. (Psalms 34:12-13). Show us (me/them)how to do that, fill us (me/them)with Your love so that out of the overflow of our hearts will come words that build up and not tear down. (Work that in my heart as well)May Your Spirit of love reign in the words we speak so that we don't miscommunicate or wound one another. Help us to show each other respect, speak words that encourage, share our feelings openly, and come to mutual agreements without strife. Lord, you've said in Your word that when two agree, you are in their midst. I pray that the reverse be true as well, - that You will be in our midst, so that we two can agree. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. (Psalms 19:14) ]
Amen!
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