Life can seem unbearable at times, but don't let it keep you down. Meditate on God's goodness, talk to Him, and know that He hears you. When life knocks you to your knees, you're in a good position to pray.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Say What? (Guarding Our Tongue)
This was and is my favorite topic until now. It's a topic in one of our cell group discussions. It talks about the waywardness of the tongue. In the Bible, it is compared to a fire, which is a very small thing at the start but can burn the whole forest to ashes.
"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." - James 3:9,10
James pointed out the inconsistency of this action and what should be impossible for a God-fearing person to do. But in reality, we do it. We express our love for God and with the same mouth we tear another person down. As James said, "this should not be."
The tongue is such a small part of the body, but it's like having a stick of dynamite between our teeth. It has such an awesome and dangerous power. It has the capacity for great good or for great evil.
The book of Proverbs, also known as the book of wisdom, gives us specific insights and guidance concerning our speech patterns. Let me share you some of them.
Importance and Power of Words
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (12:18)
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold settings of silver." (25:11)
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (15:1)
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." (11:13)
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts." (18:8)
Control Over Our Words
"A man of understanding hold his tongue." (11:12)
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint..." (17:27)
"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." (17:28)
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (10:19)
The Bible doesn't really tell us to be timid and not to speak up if we have to or so we could be understood, but to have control with our words. We all know that people sometimes judge us by the words that come out of our mouths, and so does God too ("...men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:36,37). Words that we speak strongly reflects our character. The words that a person uses reveal who that person really is.
Do you believe that words can affect a person's physical health? I do. As what is said in Proverbs 12:18 (stated above), the words of the wise, our parents, older people, or an understanding friend can bring healing to the soul. We feel relieved when we hear comforting words from a friend when we are down, and calm if someone understands you in times of confusion.
As comforting words and wise advise can bring peace and healing, so can curses and bad words bring anxiety and be very toxic and harmful to others. Do you remember a time when someone told you you're ugly? Or that you look so fat, you're such a dork, you're so jologs, and the likes? Simple things aight, but greatly affected the way you project yourself. You feel down, you feel unworthy, you spend more so you can buy clothes that go with your friend's taste, and you don't eat because you think you're too fat. And what's the result? You become stressed of thinking that you're ugly you lose confidence, you earn debts because you want to be "in", you get ulcer because you don't eat. And so your health is affected.
Words can also bring great benefit and encouragement to others. Remember a time when someone said just the right words to give you encouragement and perhaps even changed the course of your life? It might be from your parents, or from your favorite teacher, or even from some celebrity or famous person you really admire.
I know we are aware of the effects of the words we speak, but sometimes we need to be reminded of something from time to time so as to keep watch of whatever we do or say, or even think. Maybe it's now time to think and do something. (Actually, the time to reflect is all the time). What do I need to remove from my speech habits to make my words more helpful to good relationships with others and God? What is my action plan to accomplish that removal? And maybe I can start out with saying pleasing words to my friends too. Of course it has to be true. :)
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. - James 1:26
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:5-6
Not only does watched words benefit us and the people around us, but it's also what the Lord tells us to do. May God bless us all.
I don't intend this to be my life's chronicles but I might write some of my experiences here.
Even so, everything that's written in here are either products of my excessive contemplation, or just plainly, pure boredom.
In any case, I still try to write as sensible as possible, for what I really intend to do and I hope is achieved in every writing,
is to impart or share some of the things I learn and sometimes, some struggles in life. Don't expect all seriousness in everything in here though.
In short, this blog is my outlet. My noted thoughts and reflections.
About Me
Name: Goldi
Home: Pasay City, Philippines
Birthday: June 2
Hobbies & Interests: Jesus, music, books, journals, internet, computers, tech stuff, gadgets * sound tripping, singing, playing musical instruments (I know guitar and flute recorder, I just wish I can play them well), watching movie with a tub of popcorn drizzled with melted butter (yum!), reading * observing, pondering, reflecting, learning * laughing or making people laugh (though I'm not good at it) and laugh with them, make people smile, or just listen to their stories. Minsan, trip ko lang din mang-asar =p
About Me: I'm a simple, idealistic but down-to-earth, & friendly person. Quiet most of the time, but friendly enough to have a nice talk (or even a hearty laugh) with anyone. "I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NLT
Principles I live by:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4
"If people talk negatively about you, live in such a way that no one will believe them."
"God is a God of happy endings. If you're not yet happy, it's not yet the end."
"It's not what we know but what we do that counts." -Our Daily Bread
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -Dumbledore, Harry Potter 2
"Girls should assume that until a guy expresses interest, they're just friends." -J. Harris, Boy Meets Girl
"True love doesn't just wait; it plans." -Boy Meets Girl
"Eros will have naked bodies; friendship naked personalities." -C.S. Lewis
"Ideals are like stars; we will not succeed in touching them with our hands but by following them, as the sea faring man in the ocean, we will reach our destiny." -J. Harris, Boy Meets Girl
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