What Do Your Words Say About You?
What Do Your Words Say About You?
Matthew 12:34 “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” JESUS
Have you ever thought about what Jesus said regarding where our words come from?
Before there were psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, therapists or life coaches, He knew that the source of what we say is what’s going on deep in us!
In my early and emotionally very hard years as a baby Christian, my words expressed my heart—my thinking—my negative mood—my angry and bitter perspective. And it all came out via my words, my tone of voice, my utter despair.
I hated my behavior. I knew it wasn’t how God wanted me to react to the hard place I was in. Like the prodigal son who came to his senses and knew the only place of help was going back humbly to his father, I realized I had nowhere and no one to turn to for help, but my Heavenly Father. (Luke 15:17)
Have you been there? Are you there now?
Your words, and mine, can be powerfully hurtful and destructive, or powerfully healing. And we choose which they are!
AS JESUS SAID, OUR WORDS REVEAL WHAT’S GOING ON IN US!
Before there were psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, therapists or life coaches, He knew that the source of what we say is what’s going on deep in us!
In my early and emotionally very hard years as a baby Christian, my words expressed my heart—my thinking—my negative mood—my angry and bitter perspective. And it all came out via my words, my tone of voice, my utter despair.
I hated my behavior. I knew it wasn’t how God wanted me to react to the hard place I was in. Like the prodigal son who came to his senses and knew the only place of help was going back humbly to his father, I realized I had nowhere and no one to turn to for help, but my Heavenly Father. (Luke 15:17)
Have you been there? Are you there now?
Your words, and mine, can be powerfully hurtful and destructive, or powerfully healing. And we choose which they are!
AS JESUS SAID, OUR WORDS REVEAL WHAT’S GOING ON IN US!
IF YOU KNOW YOU NEED SOME HELP, HERE ARE 4 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE SPEAKING UP:
1. ARE MY WORDS NOURISHING? Just as you feed your family nourishing food, not what would make them sick, do the same with your words. Harmful words damage people emotionally.Pray for God’s help to notice what you’re about to say and NOT to respond without thinking. He will answer your prayers!
2. IS THIS THE BEST TIMING?
Proverbs 10:32. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting.
Sometimes it’s best to wait for a calm and quiet space to speak respectfully. Think about the best time to be heard.
2. IS THIS THE BEST TIMING?
Proverbs 10:32. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting.
Sometimes it’s best to wait for a calm and quiet space to speak respectfully. Think about the best time to be heard.
3. IS MY MOTIVE GOOD?
Proverbs 11:27
He who seeks good finds goodwill but evil comes to him who searches for it!
If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes our motive is not to find good in another but to judge, criticize, and reject. Do you need to ask God to show you what’s prompting your own heart when this happens? Transformation of our hearts doesn’t happen without self-awareness and honesty before God. (Psalm 51:10)
Proverbs 11:27
He who seeks good finds goodwill but evil comes to him who searches for it!
If we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes our motive is not to find good in another but to judge, criticize, and reject. Do you need to ask God to show you what’s prompting your own heart when this happens? Transformation of our hearts doesn’t happen without self-awareness and honesty before God. (Psalm 51:10)
4. DO MY WORDS GIVE LIFE?
Choose to speak positively. Encourage others, highlight their strengths, recognize their good intentions, and appreciate their qualities. Build others up, accept and respect them even if you disagree with their choices. Be a conduit of God’s love and grace.
I’m currently teaching classes on the theme, “Speaking Wisely”. These blogs are shortened versions of my presentations. Watch for the next topic: Examining Your Self-Talk! (A subject most of us need help with!)
To enquire about my availability to speak on “Speaking Wisely” at your women’s event, please contact me through my contact form.
Keep speaking wisely, my friend. It’s what honors Jesus.
Poppy