Proverbs 10:19: Where words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
How often have we who raise children told them to think about what they watch on TV, the places they go and the people they hang with? We have a deep concern for the things that have potential to bring disfavor to the Lord or our family name.
Have we taught our children, and ourselves, that in many words...can come many problems? When people are uncomfortable with silence and the air needs to be full of talk, the chances for gossip, slander, malice, opinions, mis-information, and "to much information" have potential to ruin a day...or worse yet a persons perception of who you represent. Empty chatter can be disastrous!!
Meditate On This!
If you are a "type a" personality, like I guess I am, it is a challenge to speak only when asked or needed. To use the platform God has given and the personality he provides, but to be cautious about how much unnecessary language comes out!
To you quite types, the challenge may be a different one. Maybe you need to add a little expression of joy in your lives and speak with your lips and disposition. The command, however is as real to you. Don't be holding it in only to explode on someone!
Meditate on what God might be showing you today. If you are serious about serving Him, be who you are in Jesus...He wants to use you as you are. Do not be afraid to talk...just use wisdom in what you say, how much you say and when you say it!
Proverbs 16:28: "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends."
A few months ago, a friend of my wife sent her an e-mail. It was a humorous one, but what resulted was not very humorous! It had this thing called the "killer worm" in it. My McAfee virus software told me that my system was infected! It also told me this wasnt a normal virus, but rather a "worm". I had no clue what that meant, but all of a sudden e-mails were not leaving my software, and other parts of the computer were starting to break down. On doing some research, I realized I needed to get that worm out of the system, or it was going to destroy my computer!
Meditate On This!
Gossip is much like that worm. The scripture above tells us that it separates close friends. Other scriptures tell us that it can make deep wounds and create strife.
Are you spreading any gossip? Too much information? We are all probably guilty of it. In the New Jerusalem Bible, Ecclesiastes 19:10 reads like this: "Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbor? Let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee." An old Spanish proverb says, "Whoever gossips to you will gossip of you."
Lets do a "Barney Fife" here, gang . . . "Nip it in the bud." Ask God how you should respond to people who come to you with gossip, but also ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart this week to see if you are causing a "spiritual web" to infest the soul of another.
Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
C.H. Spurgeon told the story of a group of drinking men in Boston who saw a respected pastor coming along the street. "Ill play a trick on ol Cotton," said one of them. Crossing to the other side, the unruly fellow stepped up to the minister and whispered, "Cotton, you are an old fool!" The preacher calmly replied, "Im afraid I am. The Lord made both you and me wiser than we are, even wise to salvation." The fellow returned to his companions thoroughly ashamed. When they pressed him to repeat Cottons words, the joking came to an end. The ministers gentle reply had silenced them.
Meditate On This!
How often do you respond to your enemies with a gentle reply? That is what Jesus did, isnt it. And we are in the process to become more like Jesus. This week, as insults and misrepresentations come your way, ask the Spirit of God to help you give a gentle answer to anyone, no matter how hard the circumstance. Stop, listen, and speak gently.
Taken from Info Search
Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth."
The last couple of weeks I have been looking at commands in the Bible and seeing how I need to grow in an understanding of each of these. This command today in Ephesians is a very tough one. Sometimes unwholesome talk can be the actual words that we use. Many times it can be the attitude in which we say things. Unwholesome talk can be:
1. the purpose for the things we say
2. literally speaking lies
3. slander
4. deceit
Meditate On This!
In your time of meditation this week, I would ask each of us to look at those things which come out of our mouth. "We know that the heart is deceitfully wicked", but it really gets ugly when we let those things come through our lips!
Is there anyone you have hurt with unwholesome talk recently? Are you willing to ask for forgiveness? Remember, all sin is ultimately against God. Have you asked Him for forgiveness first? Let’s look to Him for guidance as we worship, but also as we serve Him.
