WORDS CUT LIKE A KNIFE
- Key Verse
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
David, "a man after God’s own heart" (Acts 13:22), knew all too well that what he said and what he thought greatly impacted his life. I know from my own experience that all the good or the bad that I have done started with words and thoughts!
Reflections
I grew up in a household where the best you could hope for was no comment from my dad. The normal was some cutting or hurtful comment he would make about me or my actions. I still remember the most hurtful comments he said to me and I am about to turn 54 years old. So I can definitely relate to David's request that his words and his meditations or thoughts would be pleasing to God. Our actions are the manifestation of our thoughts. Our words can either turn away wrath or stir up anger.
I have said things that damaged relationships. I have let negative or judgmental thoughts prevent me from developing caring relationships with others. I have also missed "God moments" because I was engulfed in self-centered thinking.
But when I think of God and meditate on His words, I am able to see the God moments in my life and in the lives of others. The more I meditate on His Word and the more I focus on Him and His will for me, the better my thoughts and my words become. My eyes tear up as I realize that if we please God with our words and our thoughts and then share the good news with others, we will see lives changed because Jesus Christ is accepted. Let the heavens—and me—declare the glory of God!
Discussion Questions
1. How have the hurtful words of others impacted you?
2. What are some Scripture verses you can think of that will help improve how you speak to others?
3. Do you have negative thoughts and attitudes that you need to face and seek God's help with?
4. How can God’s Word help you deal with these negative thoughts?
5. Is there someone you need to forgive for hurtful words they said to you?
6. Is there someone you need to ask to forgive you for hurtful words you have said to them?
randy
January 26, 2010 08:41 PM
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways speak of You, speak of You, Jesus for this is what I am glad to do (for You and for others). Thank you Jack for your devo and all of the encouragement you have provided me over the years! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3slST5bM0Y
Terry Melle
January 27, 2010 03:56 AM
Jack, I like Colossians 4:6 (Q 2): Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may now how to answer everyone".
Chip Smith
January 27, 2010 04:55 AM
Jack: This is a very, very good log this morning. Wow! You hit the nail on the head and drove it true. I struggle every day with negative thoughts that, if left unchecked, will end up in words coming out of my mouth that I wish I could just shove them back in immediately. Just the other day, as I was driving to church, my thoughts were going off in a sinful way! As I tried to shift them to good thoughts, I found them drifting back again. I knew then the source of them and immediately began to quote James 4:7 and 2 Corinthians 10:5. In Psalm 19, we see the words of the LORD are perfect, trustworthy, clear, pure, and true (verses 7-9). This is why Join the Journey is so helpful to me. For I know, this log will help me and my thoughts today be pleasing to the LORD. Thanks! By the way, "Hook 'Em!" ;-)
Lisa Shaw
January 27, 2010 08:02 AM
Jack - thanks for your honesty. You will make me stop and think today before I say anything -- and that's how it should be all the time!
Scott Torr
January 27, 2010 08:42 AM
Thank you for your insightful words, and your transparency, Jack. That a great verse to be brought to our attention. The tongue is the sweetest and deadliest tools around. I pray God can allow our hearts to keep us in check before our tongue gets us in trouble. God bless.
Kelsey
January 27, 2010 09:45 AM
This is exactly what I needed to hear today; thanks! I need to hang this at my desk at work to remind me...
sol skaff
January 27, 2010 09:53 AM
Thanks Jack - excellent job with this. It is a pleasure to know you and serve alongside you, and I am guessing that God is well pleased with your response to His love and grace. Trusting that He will make all things right - Sol
Barbara
January 27, 2010 09:54 AM
One of my favorite verses for helping me watch what I say (although I fail to act on it sometimes!) is Ephesians 4:29. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for bulding others up, according to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen." Thanks for this devo Jack. I, in fact, just two days ago, had a situation where someone's hurtful words impacted me. The next day I spent about an hour and a half in God's word and found complete healing! His word is alive and active!
Diana Smith
January 27, 2010 10:43 AM
Jack, Thank you for sharing. Growing up in a critical environment often keeps one guarded from being transparent. What a wonderful work God has done in your life that allows you the trust to share your struggles.