Words

I've done it.

You've done it.

I think it's pretty safe to say everyone has had this experience. You say something to someone and even while you are speaking the words, you wish you could hit the backspace or delete. If only you could somehow grab the text and shove it back!

Words are powerful. Once they are out of your mouth or written down, you can't take them back. Those words will forever spin in the head and heart of the listener. They become like a broken record or tape recorder, repeating over and over.

My son, Peyton, and I were talking recently and he reminded me of the adage, 'sticks and stones can break my bones, but words could never hurt me!'
Then he said, "Mom, that is NOT true!" He's right.

Emotions get the best of us. We are stressed out and too busy. Something doesn't go our way. We feel the need to defend ourselves or our family. These are all excuses why we use unkind words. There's really no good reason.

As Christians, we should be filled with Christ. Therefore, when we are squeezed or shoved or stressed out, what comes pouring out of us should be a Christlike response. In order to do this, we have to be daily walking with Him. Daily reading His Word. Daily praying. Daily asking Him to fill us with His love.

When God wants to place emphasis on a subject in the Bible, He repeats it for us. This is how we know we need to pay attention to these things. As you read the following passages, be encouraged. You can be filled with His words every day, so when life bumps you, you spill out what's inside.

Psalm 12:6
"God’s words are pure words,
Pure silver words refined seven times
In the fires of his word-kiln,
Pure on earth as well as in heaven." MSG

Matthew 12:37
"Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” MSG

Romans 10:8
"The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth,
as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us." MSG

Colossians 3:16
"Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives." MSG

Hebrews 4:12-13
"God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what." MSG

James 1:21-24
"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." NLT

There are many more passages of scripture about the power of words. Look them up, read them. Allow the truth of God's powerful words to saturate your heart and life.

Speak love.

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