More Words!
We speak anywhere from 120 to 150 words per minute.
I tend to speak fast.
I’m afraid if I slow down, I’ll get bored and check out. Ha!
I’m more engaged when listening to a speaker who pushes the pace.
It motivates me to pay closer attention.
The “Love Chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) from the English Standard
Version of the Bible is a little more than 280 words. I timed myself
and can read it out loud in 57 seconds. So what does this mean?
Absolutely nothing. Ha! I just find it interesting.
We’re consumed with words—verbally and written. Oftentimes, we
can almost “read words” from people’s eyes and mannerisms even
though they haven’t spoken audibly.
Because words can be so powerful, let’s determine to examine how
we choose to use them. Think about it: You can actually help
someone have a better day simply by the words you offer them.
On the other hand, you can ruin someone’s day by using demeaning
words. So it’s our choice, isn’t it? Will we choose to build up or tear
down?
“Gentle words cause life and health”
(Proberbs 15:4 The Living Bible).
From reading the Bible, we can tell that Jesus was extremely careful
with His words. He didn’t use them flippantly.
Before using your words, consider these three things:
1. Is what you’re about to say true?
2. Will what you say cast a shadow on someone or create
doubt in the listener’s mind?
3. Is what you’re saying necessary?
I really admire a friend of mine who just doesn’t say negative things
about people. It’s always a joy to be around her.
In a culture where we’re often around people who talk A LOT,
it’s refreshing to be with this friend who uses her words carefully and
uses them to affirm and encourage.
Let’s memorize this Scripture together:
“Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds”
(Proverbs 11:9 The Living Bible).
Thoughts?
I’m speaking in Aurora, CO this weekend.
Will you pray that God will use my words to glorify Him?
Words!
The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., contains 28 million
books. That’s a lot of words!
The largest bookstore in the world is the Barnes and Noble in New
York City. It has 12 miles of shelves. Again . . . lots of words!
The most prolific writer in the world is Brazilian author Ryoki Inoue.
He published 1,058 novels between 1986 and 1996. Guess
what—that’s a new novel every 84 hours. It’s safe to say he knew a
lot of words!
Words can be
important
wasted
boring
challenging
true
useless
demeaning
deceitful
affirming.
I’m easily frustrated when someone uses too many words.
Maybe you know someone like this.
He or she gives you all the details—when all you really want and
need is the bullet point.
Someone going on and on and on . . . like I’m doing now . . .
Ugh!
God thinks words are important.
In fact, He says that someday we’ll have to give an account for every
careless word we speak. (Check out Matthew 12:35-37).
This makes me think seriously about the words I use.
I often speak without thinking it through first.
But there’s hope . . . because the apostle Peter was like that,
and God built called him the rock.
It took a while for Peter’s lifestyle of sand to become solid rock,
but God never gave up on him . . . or his words.
In fact, God even inspired Peter with enough words to give us two
books in the New Testament (First and Second Peter).
Let’s seriously consider our words this week.
Instead of using them sarcastically . . .
or even unnecessarily using too many words . . .
lets make it our goal to
1. use our words to encourage
2. refrain from using useless words
Word!
Thoughts?
I’m speaking in Pueblo, Colo., this weekend and would love it if you’d
pray that God will give me HIS words.
The Danger of Self-Defense
We love to defend ourselves—verbally, physically, emotionally—and
sometimes that’s OK. But many of us have become so accustomed to
defending ourselves, we have begun to defend our sins. This
damages our heart.
Christ yearns for His children to have tender hearts.
Teachable and trainable hearts.
Moldable hearts.
He even wants to transform our hearts.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)
If we’re constantly defending ourselves, it’s impossible to be open to
God’s transformation.
But you don’t know my situation! God may be leading me to stand up
for myself. I’ve been wronged.
True. I don’t know your situation. But God does.
And He will direct you when to be silent and when to defend yourself.
There were times Christ remained silent before His death.
And there other times He spoke out boldly. When we’re in tune with
the Holy Spirit, He will let us know when to speak out (and will even
give us the words to say!) and when to be silent . . . or when to say,
“I was wrong. This is my fault. Will your forgive me?”
As long as we remain teachable—and in tune with God’s Holy
Spirit—we’ll know when to defend ourselves and when to be silent.
Sin, however, is never to be defended. If you’ve become comfortable
with continuing to sin—and defending your actions to God and to
others, you’re damaging your heart.
So . . . bottom line? Make this your daily prayer:
“Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way”
Psalm 139 (23-24 Good News Translation).
Thoughts?
I’ll be speaking in Oregon this weekend.
Please pray for God’s fresh anointing.