Roadblocks: Unbridled Words
#38 in the Series: Daddy, It's Me--Conversations of an Ordinary Person
with an Extraordinary Heavenly Father
Once we commit to
following Christ, there are adjustments that will need to be made it our
lives. For some people these seem to
happen very quickly and without a lot of drama, but for most of us it is a
daily fight. Nevertheless, being
like
Christ is God’s goal for each of us.
“For he knew all about us before
we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his
Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and
sisters who will become just like him.”
Romans 8:29 TPT
Have you left your
former way of life? Have you taken off
the old you and put on the new you in Christ?
“That, however, is not the way
of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in
accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to
your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by
its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put
on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must
- put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
- “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
- Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
- Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:20-32 NIV
How interesting that
most of these attributes of the new self are directly or indirectly related to
our words. What we say has a great
impact on our lives and on the lives of others. If we can learn to have control
of our words, so many other areas of our life will also fall into place.
“For we all stumble in many
ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able
also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that
they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also:
though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a
very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is
a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze
by such a small fire!”
James 3:2-5 ESV
“but no human being can tame the
tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord
and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought
not to be so.”
James 3:8-10 ESV
“Death and life are in the power
of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear
the consequences of their words.”
PROVERBS 18:21 AMP
Since our words are
a source of either death or life, let us consider our words very carefully.
“You can be sure of this: when
the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless
word he has spoken.”
Matthew 12:36 TPT
Choose life giving
words. Even situations that are frightening, require corrections or discipline
can be handled with life giving words. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the
right words.
“So when they arrest you, don’t
worry about how to speak or what you are to say, for the Holy Spirit will give
you at that very moment the words to speak.”
Matthew 10:19 TPT
“Now all discipline seems to be
more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation
of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield
to it.”
Hebrews 12:11 TPT
“Make every effort to live in
peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root
grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV
All this
can be summed up thusly:
“Therefore be imitators of God,
as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
Love God…be like him
and love others, especially with your words. This is the path to freedom for
your mustang heart!
P.S. If
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Teri