Reflections4Life™ November 17, 2019
“Watch Your Mouth”
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the
hearers.” Ephesians 4:29
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| ©Ruthe McDonald. |
How close to attention, do we pay to the words that
proceed from our mouths? How many of us dare to put a watch over mouths, so
that we bring no harm to others or ourselves? The words that we speak can bring
comfort or pain. It can bring forth healing and even death. It is time for us
to listen carefully and to watch our mouths.
I decree that this week's Reflections
is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind,
and soul. Allow your time spent with the Lord this week to be filled with
reflection on the things that come from your mouth. Allow Holy Spirit to guide
your tongue, and to make you hyper-aware of the things you say during a normal
course of the day. It can be the difference between life and death...literally.
Growing up, I always heard my Grams and my Nana, as
well as my Mom, say: watch your mouth. As children, we can try our parents
sometimes and say something that is sassy or even disrespectful. The first
warning was always to watch your mouth.
There really wasn't a second warning; just a pop in the mouth and punishment.
I believe today many of us need a spiritual pop in
the mouth to remind of us the things that we are saying. It is not just the
harm and hurt that we are bringing to others, but the harm we do to ourselves
that many of us are not even aware of. So many times, we have prayed and asked God
for something, and in the next breath, we totally wipe out our prayers, because
our mouths defeat us. Instead of speaking the word of God and blessings over
our lives, we speak negativity and curses. Instead of life, there is death.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are
in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
How many times have we heard this passage of
scripture, only to forget it in the light of a day’s activity? How many times
have we spoken things that are filled with negativity and the exact opposite of
what we believe God for? If we want what God has for us, we're going to have to
start speaking like our Father. We are going to have to put a watch over our
mouths and speak what God speaks concerning us.
We have the power to affect the lives of others. I
specifically think about what we say to our children. What are you speaking
over the lives of your children? Do you inspire them? Encourage them? Speak
positive affirmations? Do you declare and decree what God has spoken? Do you
bless them or do you curse them?
My parents always told me what I would be—
successful at whatever I put my mind to. They encouraged my endeavors even when
I, myself, was filled with uncertainty and doubt. My father was bold and told
me what I WOULD be, and WOULD accomplish in this life. He spoke a life of
blessings over my life. He spoke the father's blessing over his children, just
as Jacob did to his children.
The words we speak into the atmosphere bring life
or death to people places and things. They can bring healing or destruction.
Many words have caused strife and the life of people. I never understood that
an old saying I heard growing up: Sticks and stones may break your bones but
names will never hurt you.
What a load of crap! The words we speak can cause
irreparable damage. Words can kill. Words do hurt. They can do so much harm and
destroy many lives. Words spoken in a lie can change lives forever. It can cost
lives, as well.
So yes, words do hurt and can bring devastating
harm. However, they can also bring life, and joy and sweetness never known
before. We must learn to guard our mouths and train our tongues to speak words
that are edifying, and truth that is not destructive, but healing. To say what
needs saying in a manner in which a person's life is not devastated or destroyed.
If we desire the life that God has ordained for us,
then we must also learn to watch our mouths concerning the things that we speak
and declare of ourselves. Do not speak the opposite of what God has spoken.
Edify yourself with the word of God. Speak God's truth. Watch what you allow to
pass through your lips and into the atmosphere. You have the power to prophesy
over your life. Speak life—abundant life—to your situation and circumstances. Speak
what God says about you. Let those words fill your heart and the atmosphere.
Practice it. Train your tongue to edify and not destroy. A word spoken in
kindness can change someone's life forever. A comforting word can save a life.
A word of wisdom can bring clarity. A word of encouragement can bring joy and
happiness.
My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and
of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Allow the Father to guard
your tongue. Be aware of your conversations and the words you speak. They can
be the difference between life and death; to dreams, hopes, and visions. Think of the things of the Lord, allowing it to fill your heart so that it will
begin to flow from your lips. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!
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