God Hears Before We Speak

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, 

O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 

 

Did you know that God is the God of Encouragement?  Think about how many times Scripture reminds us to take care in what we think and what we say.  Why? Because what we say comes from what we think.  

 

Bearing that in mind, before we speak ask yourself if God will be honored by what you say, and how you say it?  How would WE feel if the same was said to us in the same manner we say it to others?  Are our words and thoughts encouraging and uplifting of others or do they discourage and belittle others?  And if our words are discouraging, are we strong enough to apologize for speaking them?

 

It's easy to become frustrated and vent without thinking first.  I'm guilty of that at times.  But I have also learned, and am still learning, to apologize if my words have offended someone or have been less than uplifting.   Think about the last time you snapped at someone...why was that?  Was God honored by it?  Or were your words discouraging (if they were spoken to you, how would you feel)?

 

God reminds us over and over to be encouraging of each other, to have unity of mind and heart, to build each other up.  Why?  Because the world will tear us down without batting an eye.  Yes, it takes effort and focused thought to be encouraging and to build someone up (sincerely).  Tearing people down just means the mind is in neutral or in a place it shouldn't be.

 

When I was in the Army, my Sergeant would remind us every day: "My job is to make YOU look good!  Because when YOU look good....I look good!"  If you look as good as those you have spoken to, how good would you look?

 

There is a Russian proverb that says: "Taste your words carefully before you spit them out!"

Let our words and our thoughts be focused on God so that we may be encouraging and building up!