SPEAK LIFE

I know, I know, we are living in such a crazy day. If it’s not a terrorist attack, it’s a mass shooting or a hurricane or a flood. When it’s not a flood, it’s a devastating fire. We are being hit with one heartache after another and that’s not even mentioning the political division in America.

Then you top it off, with personal challenges. It can all seem so overwhelming. Yet, I hear the Lord urging us to, “Stop complaining. Remove negativity from our mouths.”

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit; you choose.” -Proverbs 18:21

The Solution

Venting on Facebook, Twitter, to your co-workers, your friends will not change the outcome. If anything, your words will stir up greater division.

What immediate actions must we take? Pray. Praise. Speak of God’s goodness. Encourage each other. When you must speak the hard truth, make sure he leads you and only Him. He has pure motives at all times.

I for one, know the struggle is real. I have always been one of many words. Careless with my opinions and reactions. Often quick to speak and slow to listen. I clearly remember the day that the Holy Spirit spoke such conviction to my heart, “I have created you to be my mouthpiece. You have the power to speak life or death. Give me complete control so I can use you.”

I could no longer use the excuse that I’m from a large family where everyone has the same patterns. Or that I’m just keeping it “honest and real”. Things needed to change. He requires us to surrender our weakness in order for Him to transform it into our greatest strength.

We must carry the hope of Christ to a hurting generation. We must be the words that heal, not hurt. You see, part of being Christ-like is speaking from a pure heart of genuine love for others. Any other motive is not of Him.

I challenge you to a negativity, complaining fast. Watch the shift in your life when you guard your thoughts and what comes out of your mouth. I know this is quite the challenge. Thankfully loved ones, He does not give up on us, but is committed to help us purify our hearts.

Let’s pray:

“Lord, please forgive me for every time I spoke words of death and not life. I surrender my speech and my attitudes to you. Help me guard my mouth. Give me self control and the wisdom to speak only what comes from you. Amen.”