Uplifting words

Chapter 5: Surrendering Our Words

Words have power. Communication is not just about being kind—it’s about being holy.   I have been convicted over and over again of my words and tone.  My biggest struggle still, is with my kids.  I'd like to give all kinds of excuses: being a momma is hard, I didn't have an incredible example, it's not in my blood(line) to be a patient and eloquent teacher and coach to my kids... But God!  So I have no excuses!  I have read many books on parenting, I have had good examples as well, and Christ's blood runs through me and Holy Spirit dwells in me, so God can change this too!  So beginning today (and with each new day I begin), I will speak love, truth, and life over my kids. I invite Holy Spirit in to do the work in and through me. 


“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.” — Psalm 19:14

I'm going to take much of this straight from week 6, "The Power of Words" in the Freedom study.

Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

"The words we speak are a spiritual gauge, showing how much of our soul we have surrendered to God.  If we have allowed our minds to be renewed by the Word, our conversation can't help but reflect what we have learned.  If, on the other hand, we are hesitant to release our old habits and beliefs, our words will betray us and reveal our true spiritual condition.  If our souls are not in submission to God and we haven't surrendered everything to Him, our tongues will be the first to sell us out." (Freedom)

Luke 6:45 says, "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in His heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in His heart.  For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

If I am having a hard time controlling my tongue- I must recognize there is evil stored up in me.  Yowch.  It's still there, there's still a seed or a weed.  Lord, root that out!  I want to overflow blessings by my words.  I surrender the anxiety, the offense, the toxic poisons I have drank in the form of unforgiveness, bitterness, and people-pleasing.  I want to please you, who creates all good and beautiful things and desires holiness of me.  Lord, flush out the things in me that are not of you: pride, insecurities, selfishness, and my task-orientation.  I want to see holy opportunities and engage in holy moments with You.  I want to plant your seeds of grace in others, reflecting faith, hope and love to my family and others.

What does your day-to-day interactions with others look like?  What does it say about your spiritual condition?  Do your words reflect an anxious heart, not truly trusting God, believing that you have to be in control?  Do you get hung up on conversations with others- your actions and their reactions- revealing a heart that wants to please man instead of God?  Do not be easily offended.  God will convict and show a new way, Satan will torture you, making you feel shame and separation.

"Jesus tells us that a life consumed with the cares and treasures of the world will lead to fruitless talk that will bring judgement upon us.  A life surrendered to God and filled with the Holy Spirit will produce speech full of grace, mercy, love, and power." (Freedom)

Read Matthew 12:22-37.  Consider, what if Jesus is saying that we can tell by our words who we serve?  We can tell by the shift of the atmosphere, by whether we attract or drive out demons?  Verse 29, He asks, "how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?  Then he can rob his house."

Are you strong in the Word and has Holy Spirit set up a fortress in your soul?  Are you easily penetrated by the things of this world?  Other's words, actions, or fears and temptations?  Ask God for wisdom, submit to what He wants to build in you by submerging yourself in His Word.  Verse 33-37 is a strong warning, not just that we have to be careful of our words, but that our words will condemn us.

Lord, work in me, that your Word is stronger than any other words that come against me.  That I have a strong fortress in Holy Spirit in me.  That I am not easily offendable to speak words that hurt others.  Nothing in this world can cause me to utter anything but life when I am in You.  Lord, speak life through me today.