Work-to-do-Wednesday-Sticks and Stones...

-->

On Wednesdays we have been talking about our spiritual checklist. As Christians, there are things we must practice on a daily basis. My goal is to list a few items that should be present on our daily checklist-not in any particular order. A few weeks ago we listed the first as studying. We noted that studying is important because we cannot hope to obey God if we are not familiar with his commandments. The second item on my checklist is speech.

One of the most powerful tools we use is verbal communication. As a general rule, ladies talk more than men. I’ve read statistics along the lines of women speaking 30 to 50 percent more words per day than men. So as ladies, we can do 30 to 50 percent more harm with our speech or 30 to 50 percent more good. Talk about the power of one!

            We all remember, from the Disney movie, Bambi, Thumper’s answer when asked by his mother what his father had told him…

-->

What does the Bible say about the type of speech we should have?

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Colossians 4:6

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”

1 Peter 3:10

            The words we speak come from our hearts, according to Matthew 15:18. For this reason, Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8, think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praise worthy. What does the Bible have to say about those who do not heed this instruction?

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”

James 1:26

We need to realize just how serious it is that we choose our words carefully. Matthew 12:36 tells us, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Take a moment to think about that. We will give an account for every idle word. Don’t be deceived by the devil, your words will not be kept secret from the Almighty One.

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14

            James also says in chapter three, though the tongue may be small, it can fuel a great fire! Our words can be extremely uplifting or extremely detrimental. If our attitudes are correct, we will be looking for the good in others and in everything. We will be too busy doing the Lord’s work and examining ourselves to have time to criticize others. 

 So before you speak:

THINK

T = Is it True?

H = Is it Helpful?

I = Is it Inspiring?

N = Is it Necessary?

K = Is it kind?