Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
I was standing in a store pondering whether or not to buy a particular style of shoes that caught my eye. Suddenly, I heard this father go off on a tirate, berating his son who appeared to be about 9 years old, with the most horrible cursing and destructive statements imaginable. Granted, I didn’t know his son or behavior, but I can attest that they had been in the store, close to where I was at, for a good 15 minutes. In that time, the boy had shown perfect behavior. It was a simple question he asked his father that triggered this ugly scene. It was all I could do to restrain myself and stay out of it. But I felt so sorry for this young boy. The words were destructive and I’m sure scarring to his son. I can only imagine the abuse this boy must have been taking in his life. I couldn’t share the memory for even a moment all day. I spent the rest of this day thinking about and praying for this young boy.
Whoever created the saying, Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me, could not have been more wrong. Words have power. God used the spoken word to create the world. The Bible says His word is quick and powerful. One word from God can change your life. Destructive words bring more hurt than people understand. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. “
God’s word has so much to say about the power of words and the words we speak. In forgetting this, we often become careless with them. They can tear down or build up.
Anger and destructive cutting words often live together, and hit the stage together. God’s word teaches us that no man can tame the tongue. That’s not to say it can never come under control. That is to say that it’s only when we lean upon the Holy Spirit to help us, that we can restrain our tongue and make better choices. David understood this and knew that his success with words was tied to praying for help from God. And so he prayed, Psalms 19:14 NKJV “Let the WORDS OF MY MOUTH, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer”
If your tongue has power, you have power. You can frame your world with acceptable words that please God and create life and blessing for others, or you can spill words that bring hurt and destruction to others and yourself. God’s will is always to bring life!
So take survey of the words that come out your mouth and discern whether they are life-giving or life-stealing. Pray and ask God to help you bring words of life to every situation! It just might become one of the greatest transformations of your life!
Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”
In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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