2:196 – Our Speech Reflects Our Faith

#faithbites #faithjourney speech

Every day we show who we are by what we say and what we do. When you speak, does your faith come through?

Our culture is filled with divisive rhetoric. From our President and representatives to our entertainers and our friends and family. Add to that the instantness of social media and the news cycle, and we have speech that isn’t admirable, isn’t speech of multiplication, and isn’t speech that anyone should share. My speech is far from perfect, but the Lord’s is not.

Scripture

• It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” – Matthew 15:11
• I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, – Matthew 12:36
• He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. – Deuteronomy 32:4

Reflection

We see that what we speak are not just words without meaning. Everything we say will count and we will be judged by the Lord. The Lord knows how we treat each other and the words we use. When we don’t use kind words, when we don’t show love, as will be judged.

And yet, when we recognize our words are daggers, we can be forgiven by the Son.

We can disagree and not be disagreeable. We can debate ideas, policies, politics, religion, and do it in love. When we devalue human life, when we get into personal attacks, we lose the ability to multiply and instead divide.

None of us are perfect. But God is. When we look at his word, we see how we can be better in talking to one another. We need to remove the blinders, and really listed to him.

Charge

Think closely about your words. Look at your blindspots. Listen to what someone is trying to say even if their word choice is poor. Forgive them for their mistakes. Help them to learn to that words matter and be kind.

Prayer

Lord, words can bring much love and much hate. We use your word to strengthen us and some use it as weapons. Help us to always speak in love, kindness, and respect. Help us understand where people come from. Let us debate in a healthy way. Give us your grace as we go through these challenging times.