A good word has just brought a smile to these children in Myanmar. Although they do not have many of the things that seem to make others happy, they are encouraged and lifted by a good word.
It is our great opportunity each day to speak words of refreshing encouragement to others and lift them from despair. However, many times words are spoken harshly and without much, if any, thought as to how they will be heard. Hasty and unnecessary words usually result in embarrassment, hurt, injury, discouragement, and sometimes anger.
The wise person commits their ways to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3) and disciplines themselves to be careful about the words they speak. We should consider:
Are these words necessary?
Are the words I am about to speak absolutely true?
Is this the right time and place to say these words?
Will these words I am about to speak please the Lord?
A few moments of careful thought and preparation will temper one’s words to be words that are helpful to others, pleasing to our Lord, and bring joy to the occasion.
Words DO Matter
Someone has said that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and as we look at these orphaned children in Myanmar, many thoughts come to our mind. Alone, happy, abandoned, yet cared for, and thankful for life are just some of the “words” that this picture generates.
However, we must be cautious and considerate in the words that we speak each day. The average person spends a great deal of time daily in communicating with others, and we are reminded in the Bible that words DO matter. Today each person has the choice to build, encourage, lift, and bless with their words, or they may choose to hurt, destroy, embarrass, and discourage others.
In James 3 we are reminded that the tongue is a small part of the body but has great power. We must not forget that words come so quickly but have the power to linger in the hearts and minds of others for a long time. Today is not a rehearsal for later. This is real life, and we will speak many words. We need to carefully consider the instructions of God’s Word especially as it relates to our speech today.
Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”