Proverbs 21:23
Watching what you say can save you a lot of trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, a friend posted a comment on Facebook about how a couple of his college professors were two of the most despised instructors on campus. This may seem like a harmless comment, but think about it … on the off chance that one of these instructors saw your post, do you really think this would make them go easier on you?
Most of us have probably shared something with someone in confidence and asked them not to repeat it … only to discover later that the person did just that. Or, we have gotten in stressful situations where we spoke nervously and said things we regretted later. The result of both is a lousy feeling.
You have no idea how God has used this scripture to speak to me … and maybe He is doing the same with you. More than ever, we are living in an age where every word we speak can be monitored, recorded, preserved for posterity, and misconstrued. In my case, I often encounter miscommunication challenges with my grandmother and her friends. I say one thing … she hears another. Or, she forgets what I told her and repeats her version of the conversation to family members and friends. In this situation, even watching what you say can still result in trouble!
For many of you, the current challenge is watching what you say online, via text and chat, and in social settings with your friends. Many innocent statements made using electronic media take on a completely different connotation when posted. Context is lost. Voice tone and inflection are not present … and the words take on a very different meaning. So “jokes” passed back and forth on a friend’s Facebook wall are seen by others and taken as an insult. A seemingly harmless rant about a college professor gets shown to him/her, and chances are good that things will be more difficult for you in that class.
Worse yet, trusting a wide circle of “friends” and sharing every detail of your personal life can lead to misunderstandings, gossip, and potentially hurtful untruths being spread. A good example is when you start dating someone. Sure, you want to get to know the person – especially if you really like him/her. But sharing your whole life history on the first few dates is probably going too far and could cause serious heartache and trouble down the road - particularly if this relationship doesn’t last.
I have been having a serious conversation with God in recent days, asking Him to help me to moderate my speech – and to give me more wisdom and discernment in this area. I am asking Him to show me how to be more cautious, less trusting, and far less naïve. I am asking for wisdom in my communication, so that my words and their meaning are not misunderstood or misconstrued by others. And I am asking that what I speak would always be the truth, spoken with love, care and respect … and exactly what HE wants me to say.
I have a long ways to go, but I know that God can perform miracles where I make messes. I know that He can accomplish things I never dreamed possible. And I know that He can guide our thoughts, our words, and how they are interpreted by others. The key is to ask for His help … and then to listen for His guidance - and take it! This honors our relationship with God, which should be motivation enough. But if this also keeps us from getting into trouble, wouldn’t you agree that it’s even more worth the effort?
Even if you don’t feel this is an issue for you, I invite you to ask God to “double-check your work” – and your thoughts and speech. Make sure He is guiding your words and keeping you in agreement with His plans … and safe from the trouble that comes from dropping your guard.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label speech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speech. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 3, 2010
Proverbs 18:20
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Make your words good -- you will be glad you did.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Several translations of this verse refer to making your words satisfying like a good meal. We all know that sensation – eating our favorite meal … savoring each bite … feeling totally satisfied and full afterward. Now think about eating an unpleasant meal… maybe a food you particularly dislike. I watched chefs on a television cooking competition eat all sorts of strange looking sea creatures … and I winced right along with them at just the thought of having to put those slimy, chewy things in my mouth.
Now that I have grossed you out sufficiently, compare the words you speak to these two very contrasting meals. Kind, loving, positive words fill you and others up like the best, most satisfying meal. Unkind, cruel, improper and indecent words are like the slimy, chewy, disgusting meal that makes you gag. They sit in the heart like a distasteful meal sits on the stomach – heavy, burning, and miserable.
In this context, surely none of us would want to be speaking words that resemble a bad meal, would we?! We want to speak the good things … the love and blessings of Jesus upon our life and others’. We want to say and do things that give people the warm, satisfyingly full sensation of their best meal ever.
How do we do this? A good place to start is by asking God to bless your day and guard your thoughts and words each morning when you rise … to help you to speak only good, positive, kind messages. As we go about our day, we need to pause and think about what we are saying. I will tell you … as I have practiced this lately, I have stopped short of saying several things that I really didn’t need to say. See, the temptation was there … so I still have work to do … but God helped me to realize that I didn’t have to speak what I thought, or He showed me a better way to phrase things. And I know as I listen to Him more and rely on His guidance, I will get better at this and have fewer moments where I “open mouth, insert foot!”
Don’t you want to be known as a person who speaks positively and kindly? Don’t you want to be known as someone who “cooks a good meal” rather than a poor one? I can’t really say it better than Proverbs 18:20, so I will repeat… “Make your words good – you will be glad you did!”
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 27, 2010
1 Peter 3:10
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you know someone who seems to enjoy constantly stirring up trouble? This person never seems to have anything kind or positive to say – about anything or anyone. And their “frankness” is often hurtful to those on the receiving end.
We’ve really gotten to a point as a culture where we run fast and loose with our criticism and sarcasm. From late night talk show hosts to the “fashion show” critics to, most certainly, the political analysts and commentators, everything seems to be “fair game.” Even the “judges” on the reality shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the sports commentators have come to feel they have a license to say whatever they think – or to try to be cute and witty – all at someone else’s expense.
We get so caught up in this that we don’t even realize when we start to blur the lines between truth and fiction. It’s much like the elderly people who tell others, “my kids never visit me,” when in fact, the person to whom they are speaking met the senior’s children in the doorway. At least these folks have old age and the onset of dementia for excuses! But we don’t have any excuse. Saying things that are unkind, cutting, sarcastic, and downright untrue at times – or constantly griping, grumbling and being disagreeable – does not please God.
I love the first lines of this passage and feel they bear repeating… “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Don’t you want to be a blessing? Don’t you want to get a blessing? Then start today to bless – let all of the junk go by the wayside and focus on running after peace, cultivating good, and snubbing evil. You’ll be amazed as you watch your days “fill up with good” … and you will bask in the approving response of our loving God.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Do you know someone who seems to enjoy constantly stirring up trouble? This person never seems to have anything kind or positive to say – about anything or anyone. And their “frankness” is often hurtful to those on the receiving end.
We’ve really gotten to a point as a culture where we run fast and loose with our criticism and sarcasm. From late night talk show hosts to the “fashion show” critics to, most certainly, the political analysts and commentators, everything seems to be “fair game.” Even the “judges” on the reality shows like “America’s Got Talent” and the sports commentators have come to feel they have a license to say whatever they think – or to try to be cute and witty – all at someone else’s expense.
We get so caught up in this that we don’t even realize when we start to blur the lines between truth and fiction. It’s much like the elderly people who tell others, “my kids never visit me,” when in fact, the person to whom they are speaking met the senior’s children in the doorway. At least these folks have old age and the onset of dementia for excuses! But we don’t have any excuse. Saying things that are unkind, cutting, sarcastic, and downright untrue at times – or constantly griping, grumbling and being disagreeable – does not please God.
I love the first lines of this passage and feel they bear repeating… “Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Don’t you want to be a blessing? Don’t you want to get a blessing? Then start today to bless – let all of the junk go by the wayside and focus on running after peace, cultivating good, and snubbing evil. You’ll be amazed as you watch your days “fill up with good” … and you will bask in the approving response of our loving God.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 23, 2010
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Hype. Dictionary.com defines hype as “exaggerated publicity; hoopla … an ingenious or questionable claim, method, etc., used in advertising, promotion, or publicity to intensify the effect … a swindle, deception, or trick.” We hear a lot these days about hype … and there’s a whole lot of hype about a whole lot of issues. Frankly, a lot of the hype is a mask for evil words of the wicked.
More and more in our society, we are bombarded through all kinds of media with outlandish claims and statements – hype - that sound just true enough to reel us in and catch us off guard. We’ve bought into everything from “reality TV” to tabloid journalism to political spin. And the lines between truth and fiction have become so blurry that often no one is sure of anything.
Hype about the Razorbacks and how good they are predicted to be this year may be one thing. Hype that is designed to scare us into believing one way or another about serious social and religious issues is totally different. We need to all take a deep breath, stop and think about what we are seeing and hearing, and ask ourselves if it lines up with the word of God. We need to surround ourselves with people who are level-headed, spend time in prayer and Bible study, and listen to our Heavenly Father … not the “spin doctors” on television and in the media or some of those who like to share letters and opinions in our local newspaper. We need to use our head … and check things out on websites like www.urbanlegends.com and www.snopes.com.
Be informed – do some digging and get to the heart of what people are saying. Choose your friends and your role models carefully. Ask God to give you discernment in all things, and remember that He does not operate in fear. Sadly, there are people who will invoke the Lord’s name as they spew untruths, and yes … evil poison. There are “Christians” who operate in fear and threats. Think of e-mails that say… “If you love Jesus, you will forward this e-mail” or even “Send this to six friends and get six blessings … nine friends and get nine blessings.” We can’t bargain with God for His favor!
On Facebook, I’m blessed to be “friends” with a young woman who posts frequent messages of hope and encouragement … prayer requests for those in need … uplifting scriptures, mentions of specific needs in our community, and praise for her church and the work God is doing there. I sometimes see posts from a few “friends” who want to spew hype … most of it negative. Sadly, some of them invoke their faith as they do so … and honestly, I have to hide them – or even block them completely. I’m learning that I cannot be surrounded by such thoughts and words. The more I remove the “hype” from my life and my heart, the more room I have for the life-giving words of God Almighty.
And that’s what it’s all about. We need plenty of room in our daily lives for the life-giving well of good words from good people. If you find that your life is getting cluttered with hype, it may be time for a good old-fashioned cleaning. Ask God to help you with this. Ask Him to surround you with good people who speak truthfully. Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment to sift through the hype and get to His truths. It’s time for us to all make a little extra room in our hearts for the good stuff!
©2010 Debbie Robus
The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Hype. Dictionary.com defines hype as “exaggerated publicity; hoopla … an ingenious or questionable claim, method, etc., used in advertising, promotion, or publicity to intensify the effect … a swindle, deception, or trick.” We hear a lot these days about hype … and there’s a whole lot of hype about a whole lot of issues. Frankly, a lot of the hype is a mask for evil words of the wicked.
More and more in our society, we are bombarded through all kinds of media with outlandish claims and statements – hype - that sound just true enough to reel us in and catch us off guard. We’ve bought into everything from “reality TV” to tabloid journalism to political spin. And the lines between truth and fiction have become so blurry that often no one is sure of anything.
Hype about the Razorbacks and how good they are predicted to be this year may be one thing. Hype that is designed to scare us into believing one way or another about serious social and religious issues is totally different. We need to all take a deep breath, stop and think about what we are seeing and hearing, and ask ourselves if it lines up with the word of God. We need to surround ourselves with people who are level-headed, spend time in prayer and Bible study, and listen to our Heavenly Father … not the “spin doctors” on television and in the media or some of those who like to share letters and opinions in our local newspaper. We need to use our head … and check things out on websites like www.urbanlegends.com and www.snopes.com.
Be informed – do some digging and get to the heart of what people are saying. Choose your friends and your role models carefully. Ask God to give you discernment in all things, and remember that He does not operate in fear. Sadly, there are people who will invoke the Lord’s name as they spew untruths, and yes … evil poison. There are “Christians” who operate in fear and threats. Think of e-mails that say… “If you love Jesus, you will forward this e-mail” or even “Send this to six friends and get six blessings … nine friends and get nine blessings.” We can’t bargain with God for His favor!
On Facebook, I’m blessed to be “friends” with a young woman who posts frequent messages of hope and encouragement … prayer requests for those in need … uplifting scriptures, mentions of specific needs in our community, and praise for her church and the work God is doing there. I sometimes see posts from a few “friends” who want to spew hype … most of it negative. Sadly, some of them invoke their faith as they do so … and honestly, I have to hide them – or even block them completely. I’m learning that I cannot be surrounded by such thoughts and words. The more I remove the “hype” from my life and my heart, the more room I have for the life-giving words of God Almighty.
And that’s what it’s all about. We need plenty of room in our daily lives for the life-giving well of good words from good people. If you find that your life is getting cluttered with hype, it may be time for a good old-fashioned cleaning. Ask God to help you with this. Ask Him to surround you with good people who speak truthfully. Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment to sift through the hype and get to His truths. It’s time for us to all make a little extra room in our hearts for the good stuff!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 22, 2010
James 3:8
But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was about 10 years old, my Girl Scout leader was helping us with a sewing project, and I think she stuck herself with a needle. Anyway, I remember she said “Darn it!” We were appalled, and she was embarrassed. This was not quite a curse word, but it was not a nice word to use in conversation in 1967… especially in front of ten-year-olds! That seems almost laughable now, because many of us use the word “darn” and don’t give it a second thought. But sadly, many of us often use words that are far worse!
My childhood was probably like most … in junior high and senior high, I started to hang out with some people who used some pretty bad language. They weren’t bad people … they just thought this rowdy language was cool. And at first, I didn’t participate … until they laughed at me. So I let them “teach” me to curse. For a while, we thought we were really hot stuff, because we knew all of the really BAD words! Oh, we didn’t use them around adults … or most certainly our parents or teachers … but we sure had fun other times. Our tongues were most definitely out of control.
Has it ever occurred to you that many shows like “Andy Griffith”, “I Love Lucy” and “Bonanza” and many movies produced before 1970 are really good – even today – and yet they contain no cursing? Truly, the four-letter words don’t add much of anything to the story in most cases, but you can hardly find a television show - much less a movie - that doesn’t contain them now. And on many cable shows, it’s hard to keep up sometimes, because every other word seems to be “bleeped.”
The truth is … much of what we say becomes a habit. My grandmother starts virtually every sentence with, “I tell you what…” Others start saying things like “Been there, done that,” or “No way, Jose,” or “Shut the front door.” And while these are harmless phrases, nobody likes to be around someone who peppers their sentences – or their Internet posts – with cursing. One I would particularly like to see people stop using is OMG. Did you realize that any time you speak some form of the Lord’s name in this manner, you are “taking His name in vain,” which is a form of cursing?
Habits can be broken. It won’t be easy, but if you find you are using inappropriate language, ask God to help you stop. A good way to start is to find a silly substitute for the words you use most frequently. If you stub your toe, try saying something like “sugar pie.” When something doesn’t go your way, how about saying “fiddlesticks” or “flitter,” as was the word my mom’s friend uses. My mother-in-law likes to say “phooey!” Whatever works for you … but it has to be something totally off-the-wall and unrelated to the curse word you once used. It works - I promise! Everyone needs a “vent” word from time to time … but it doesn’t have to be a well-known dirty one. God will help you work on this bad habit and clean up your speech – and get your tongue under control. People may wonder what on earth you are talking about, but they will never think of you as someone who cannot control their tongue!
©2010 Debbie Robus
But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was about 10 years old, my Girl Scout leader was helping us with a sewing project, and I think she stuck herself with a needle. Anyway, I remember she said “Darn it!” We were appalled, and she was embarrassed. This was not quite a curse word, but it was not a nice word to use in conversation in 1967… especially in front of ten-year-olds! That seems almost laughable now, because many of us use the word “darn” and don’t give it a second thought. But sadly, many of us often use words that are far worse!
My childhood was probably like most … in junior high and senior high, I started to hang out with some people who used some pretty bad language. They weren’t bad people … they just thought this rowdy language was cool. And at first, I didn’t participate … until they laughed at me. So I let them “teach” me to curse. For a while, we thought we were really hot stuff, because we knew all of the really BAD words! Oh, we didn’t use them around adults … or most certainly our parents or teachers … but we sure had fun other times. Our tongues were most definitely out of control.
Has it ever occurred to you that many shows like “Andy Griffith”, “I Love Lucy” and “Bonanza” and many movies produced before 1970 are really good – even today – and yet they contain no cursing? Truly, the four-letter words don’t add much of anything to the story in most cases, but you can hardly find a television show - much less a movie - that doesn’t contain them now. And on many cable shows, it’s hard to keep up sometimes, because every other word seems to be “bleeped.”
The truth is … much of what we say becomes a habit. My grandmother starts virtually every sentence with, “I tell you what…” Others start saying things like “Been there, done that,” or “No way, Jose,” or “Shut the front door.” And while these are harmless phrases, nobody likes to be around someone who peppers their sentences – or their Internet posts – with cursing. One I would particularly like to see people stop using is OMG. Did you realize that any time you speak some form of the Lord’s name in this manner, you are “taking His name in vain,” which is a form of cursing?
Habits can be broken. It won’t be easy, but if you find you are using inappropriate language, ask God to help you stop. A good way to start is to find a silly substitute for the words you use most frequently. If you stub your toe, try saying something like “sugar pie.” When something doesn’t go your way, how about saying “fiddlesticks” or “flitter,” as was the word my mom’s friend uses. My mother-in-law likes to say “phooey!” Whatever works for you … but it has to be something totally off-the-wall and unrelated to the curse word you once used. It works - I promise! Everyone needs a “vent” word from time to time … but it doesn’t have to be a well-known dirty one. God will help you work on this bad habit and clean up your speech – and get your tongue under control. People may wonder what on earth you are talking about, but they will never think of you as someone who cannot control their tongue!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 20, 2010
Psalm 17:3
Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night — You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks and months, both my mom and a friend of mine have gone out for their daily walks, only to be chased and frightened (and in my mother’s case, knocked to the ground) by “loose” dogs. Our city has a “voice command” ordinance now that says dogs can remain loose within the confines of their owner’s yard, as long as they respond to voice command. This is sort of an “amendment” to the city’s “leash law” that requires dogs to be on a leash when outside, unless in a fenced area.
Clearly, this “amendment” that allows voice command “control” is not working. My mom is okay – although she did hit her head – and my friend says she probably screamed loud enough to wake all of the neighbors the evening she was chased home. She says the “master” of the dog scaring her called to his loose pet, but the dog did not respond.
When our Master calls, do we answer? Do our words “run loose?” Do we find that in the darkness of night, we feel more comfortable sharing gossip or whispering with friends about this person or another? Do we feel that it’s okay to say disrespectful things, curse, or tell off-color jokes in certain company, because “They won’t tell,” or “They don’t mind.” Do we use language to try to fit in with certain people or crowds?
We need to exercise a “leash law” on our tongues. We need to initiate a “no tolerance” law upon ourselves. If we couldn’t say it directly to Jesus and feel comfortable, we shouldn’t say it at all. Surely we don’t curse when we talk to HIM! Surely we don’t refer to His children with off-color, racist or derogatory names when we pray. Surely we wouldn’t share a filthy joke or hateful story with our Heavenly Father. So why do we think this is okay with our friends and acquaintances?
We need to study Psalm 17:3 and commit it to memory. We need to make it our mantra – and practice it daily. We need to be able to say to God, “Go ahead… examine me from inside out … night or day … and see what you find. I’m the real deal for You all the way. Your ‘voice command’ is in full effect!” Anything less is dishonorable, and completely unacceptable in the life of Christ’s disciples. Who controls your tongue today? Is the “voice command” of God your Master?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night — You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks and months, both my mom and a friend of mine have gone out for their daily walks, only to be chased and frightened (and in my mother’s case, knocked to the ground) by “loose” dogs. Our city has a “voice command” ordinance now that says dogs can remain loose within the confines of their owner’s yard, as long as they respond to voice command. This is sort of an “amendment” to the city’s “leash law” that requires dogs to be on a leash when outside, unless in a fenced area.
Clearly, this “amendment” that allows voice command “control” is not working. My mom is okay – although she did hit her head – and my friend says she probably screamed loud enough to wake all of the neighbors the evening she was chased home. She says the “master” of the dog scaring her called to his loose pet, but the dog did not respond.
When our Master calls, do we answer? Do our words “run loose?” Do we find that in the darkness of night, we feel more comfortable sharing gossip or whispering with friends about this person or another? Do we feel that it’s okay to say disrespectful things, curse, or tell off-color jokes in certain company, because “They won’t tell,” or “They don’t mind.” Do we use language to try to fit in with certain people or crowds?
We need to exercise a “leash law” on our tongues. We need to initiate a “no tolerance” law upon ourselves. If we couldn’t say it directly to Jesus and feel comfortable, we shouldn’t say it at all. Surely we don’t curse when we talk to HIM! Surely we don’t refer to His children with off-color, racist or derogatory names when we pray. Surely we wouldn’t share a filthy joke or hateful story with our Heavenly Father. So why do we think this is okay with our friends and acquaintances?
We need to study Psalm 17:3 and commit it to memory. We need to make it our mantra – and practice it daily. We need to be able to say to God, “Go ahead… examine me from inside out … night or day … and see what you find. I’m the real deal for You all the way. Your ‘voice command’ is in full effect!” Anything less is dishonorable, and completely unacceptable in the life of Christ’s disciples. Who controls your tongue today? Is the “voice command” of God your Master?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 18, 2010
Proverbs 18:21
Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you remember the time you should have stopped talking, but you just kept going … digging yourself in deeper and deeper? Of course you do … we’ve all been there! Our reasons are endless … we thought we were helping … we were making a point … we were right, and we knew it! And sometimes, we simply thought we sounded pretty darn good and wanted to keep going!
We often speak before we think … or say too much or the wrong thing to someone. The devil loves to control us, and our speech is a really easy way for him to do this, because words are like toothpaste – once it’s out of the tube, there is no way to put it back. And if you have ever had to “eat” something you said … to apologize or retract a comment … you know how humbling and embarrassing this can be. Worse yet, it dishonors our faith!
Hear me carefully … there is a fine line between being witty and wicked. This is not about how much you talk, as much as it is about what you say and how you say it. I know people who don’t say all that much – but when they do, their words have a bite and an attitude to them that speaks volumes! I know others who talk all the time and never really say anything or give any real picture of who they are in Christ. God wants us to speak words of love, grace, mercy, and peace over others. He wants our words to be kind, thoughtful, constructive … and always truthful. The old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything” applies.
In a court of law, words can literally bring death or life. In the life of a Christian, we are often known by our words. Will yours bring life and the good news of Jesus to others? Or will yours bring delight to the devil? Guard your thoughts and words carefully. Be sure those that escape your tongue are pleasing to God and honor His presence in your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you remember the time you should have stopped talking, but you just kept going … digging yourself in deeper and deeper? Of course you do … we’ve all been there! Our reasons are endless … we thought we were helping … we were making a point … we were right, and we knew it! And sometimes, we simply thought we sounded pretty darn good and wanted to keep going!
We often speak before we think … or say too much or the wrong thing to someone. The devil loves to control us, and our speech is a really easy way for him to do this, because words are like toothpaste – once it’s out of the tube, there is no way to put it back. And if you have ever had to “eat” something you said … to apologize or retract a comment … you know how humbling and embarrassing this can be. Worse yet, it dishonors our faith!
Hear me carefully … there is a fine line between being witty and wicked. This is not about how much you talk, as much as it is about what you say and how you say it. I know people who don’t say all that much – but when they do, their words have a bite and an attitude to them that speaks volumes! I know others who talk all the time and never really say anything or give any real picture of who they are in Christ. God wants us to speak words of love, grace, mercy, and peace over others. He wants our words to be kind, thoughtful, constructive … and always truthful. The old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything” applies.
In a court of law, words can literally bring death or life. In the life of a Christian, we are often known by our words. Will yours bring life and the good news of Jesus to others? Or will yours bring delight to the devil? Guard your thoughts and words carefully. Be sure those that escape your tongue are pleasing to God and honor His presence in your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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