Verbal

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

So much can be said in one sentence. Daily, our words are our legacy. We speak life and truth or we speak lies and deception.

One of the great Christian expressions is "holding our tongues". I know I have said it often and maybe you to have had an occasion where saying nothing is better than whatever it is you are thinking.

Words express our hearts emotions. Sometimes, that isn't all good. When we are angry and mad we want someone to hurt as much as we hurt. Right or wrong, in the heat of the moment it is hard to find control. When we are feeling unheard, when we are feeling small, when we are just tired of this place we are in, we explode. Words come out at a hundred miles an hour, hurtful and abusive to the people we love the most.

Have you experienced violent words coming at you? Have you expressed your emotions with violent words? Verbal abuse is a serious matter and shouldn't be taken lightly. It isn't nearly as easy as we would like it to be to take back hurtful things we say. I am sure every one of us can remember a hurtful word said to us. Do we ever consider even our words said out of "helpfulness" to be hurtful?

I struggled with a cigarette smoking addiction for many years. And through those years many people had "good" advice for me but the most hurtful thing ever said to me was "If you loved God more you would just quit". I was crushed. My addiction and struggle with sin wasn't about how much I loved God. I had spent years teaching my body that the only way to cope was with smoking. Sometimes, things don't happen just because we want it to.

When you meet a new Christian, do you judge there struggles to overcome their sin? Do you disregard that even Paul struggled with "things he did not want to do"? Do you think that in your Bible study circle that there is someone, maybe even you, dealing with sin and they feel like their faith isn't enough or their love for God isn't enough?

Romans 7:15-17 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

As the mouth of the righteous we are called to be a fountain of life. Called to speak truth and love into each others lives. Maybe instead of condemning one another for our faults and abusing each other with our words we could love a little more. Speak more kindness. Maybe we can find a way to use our words to give strength instead of condemnation.

Heavenly Father~ You are so good to me, blessing me more abundantly with your Love each day. Today, Father, as I read and learn that I am a mouth piece, a fountain a life. Called to share your word and Love with everyone. Pour into me self-control Lord, so I may know when I am being hurtful and mean. May you cultivate the fruit of patience so I may think through my words before I say them. Teach me to Love with your eyes so that I see you in people and avoid condemnation and judgement. Show me in ways that I may not want to see anywhere in my life that my words become abusive and hurtful. Do a work in my thoughts and heart so my words are a reflexion of who You are in me.....In Your Precious Holy Name.