Watching Our Words
January 24, 2012
Have you had times when the Holy Spirit brings a certain topic to your mind and it seems like you need to study and understand it more? It happens to me all the time. The latest subject is the power of our words and the importance of speaking positive things.
I became aware of two different women who have good hearts and want to be liked but because of their tendency to be critical and complaining, other people do not want to be around them. I realized that they are not even aware of how much their negative speech is hurting them. I wondered how I could help them and it became clear that this problem needs to be addressed with them. But I wanted to have some positive information to offer them so I started gathering information on the power of our words.
One scripture keeps coming to my mind - a recipe of sorts to follow for our thinking and speaking. Philippians 4:8 tells us: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." It is a more complete way of saying what I always taught my children- "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all". Of course there is room in relationships for disagreement and constructive criticism but generally even that can be expressed in a positive tone if you are considerate of how you express your thoughts. But overall it is better for us and for those we are interacting with to speak things that are encouraging, uplifiting, life-giving and inspiring.
It also seems clear that we will speak more positively when we are focused on others rather than on our own problems or needs. If we ask others about themselves and share words that make them feel better, whatever their situation, it will be a mutually more satisfying conversation than if we focus on voicing our complaints and demands. And this tends to be a never-ending circle; those who do tend to be critical and complaining in their speech seem to be people who are insecure because they were criticized and not affirmed.
The good news is that there is another answer in scripture: Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." As Joyce Meyer says, "You don't have to let your thoughts control you. You can choose to think and focus on God-thoughts. " Not only will others like you better and want to be around you, but you will be happier, more content and filled with peace and joy. This begins by reading the Word of God, meditate on it speak it aloud and let it become part of you and your thinking. We perceive, respond, speak and act according to the mindset that we process everything through. Let that mindset be the truth and goodness of God.
I became aware of two different women who have good hearts and want to be liked but because of their tendency to be critical and complaining, other people do not want to be around them. I realized that they are not even aware of how much their negative speech is hurting them. I wondered how I could help them and it became clear that this problem needs to be addressed with them. But I wanted to have some positive information to offer them so I started gathering information on the power of our words.
One scripture keeps coming to my mind - a recipe of sorts to follow for our thinking and speaking. Philippians 4:8 tells us: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." It is a more complete way of saying what I always taught my children- "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all". Of course there is room in relationships for disagreement and constructive criticism but generally even that can be expressed in a positive tone if you are considerate of how you express your thoughts. But overall it is better for us and for those we are interacting with to speak things that are encouraging, uplifiting, life-giving and inspiring.
It also seems clear that we will speak more positively when we are focused on others rather than on our own problems or needs. If we ask others about themselves and share words that make them feel better, whatever their situation, it will be a mutually more satisfying conversation than if we focus on voicing our complaints and demands. And this tends to be a never-ending circle; those who do tend to be critical and complaining in their speech seem to be people who are insecure because they were criticized and not affirmed.
The good news is that there is another answer in scripture: Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." As Joyce Meyer says, "You don't have to let your thoughts control you. You can choose to think and focus on God-thoughts. " Not only will others like you better and want to be around you, but you will be happier, more content and filled with peace and joy. This begins by reading the Word of God, meditate on it speak it aloud and let it become part of you and your thinking. We perceive, respond, speak and act according to the mindset that we process everything through. Let that mindset be the truth and goodness of God.
Posted by Karen Sweeney-Ryall. Posted In : Spiritual Growth