Thoughts and Words Matter

Today I want to pick up on a phrase I wrote in my post yesterday: "Our words matter in the earth, and carry the power of life or death over people and circumstances."  Our words carry unseen, spiritual power, and the words we speak come from the thoughts we think.  Therefore, we must guard our thoughts, our heart.

The Lord tells us in Philippians 4:4-7 to always rejoice in the Lord no matter what's going on around us, to let our gentleness show, and not be anxious about anything.  Instead, we are to give thanks and by prayer and petition ask God for what we need.  Such action will produce the peace of God in our hearts and  minds through Christ Jesus.

Verse 8 has powerful and much-needed advice for the times in which we live.  The Lord instructs us to think about the following things:

• Whatever is true -- remember, gossip has destroyed more than one person's reputation
• Whatever is noble -- honor those with outstanding uprightness of character
• Whatever is right -- base all opinions and beliefs on God's Word and relationship with Him
• Whatever is pure -- don't pollute grace with law-keeping; be established in righteousness
• Whatever is lovely -- enjoy the beauty of God's creation and the beauty of His people
• Whatever is of good report -- think and tell about the good things people do, not the bad
• Whatever is virtuous -- don't watch lewd movies or listen to sexually explicit songs or dirty jokes
• Whatever is praiseworthy -- think about all the goodness of the Lord, Who is worthy of all praise

James 3 is another powerful Scripture about the tongue.  Our tongue steers our life just as a rudder turns a large ship.  Our tongue, if set on fire from hell's thoughts, corrupts the whole person and destroys the lives of others just like a match sets a forest ablaze.  God says our un-tamed tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  Only God can tame our tongue if we ask Him.  We need to renew our minds, like Romans 12:2 instructs us to do.

Verses 9 - 10 of the same chapter say, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be."  

Titus 3:1 (NIV) says, "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."

Because I write for home and family, let's consider your home and family life as the ship you're steering.  What are you saying about your house?  Do you complain and feel bitter because you can't keep up with the "Jones's?"  What do you say over your children?  Over your spouse?  Extended family?  Little ears pick up heart attitudes quickly by what they hear you say to them and about others.  For that matter, what are you saying over yourself?  Do you call yourself derogatory names and put yourself down?  How can you love your neighbor as yourself the way God intends if you don't even love yourself?  You are also a person made in God's image, and God wants you to say good things over yourself, too!

Let's train ourselves to think like Philippians 4:8 tells us to.  Let's be aware that our thoughts and words matter, for ourselves, our families, the Body of Christ, and our government.  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Copyright © 2012 Elaine Beachy