You Can Build or Destroy – Which Do You Choose?
Ouch...that hurts and I can only imagine how our words of "destruction" pierce the heart of our Father in Heaven when one of His children is destroying another with their words. If we were all honest, we would realize that at times we choose to destroy others with our words even if we aren't really thinking that is what we are doing.
Such a no-nonsense title - of course we would choose to build instead of destroy . . . right? Well,
I find myself believing this is what I'd choose but if I'm honest and I take inventory of the words I've used throughout the day, I'd have to say there are times I really did not choose to build so . . . I guess that leaves the other . . . I chose to destroy.
Did you realize the importance of words that come out of our mouth? There are many scriptures that speak about this - below are just a couple of them:
- Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat its fruit."
- Proverbs 18:7 "A fool's mouth is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul."
- Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
- Proverbs 12:18 "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health."
We are called to empower and build each other up with words that affirm worth and value and instill hope, encouragement and truth. Imagine if this were happening on a regular basis in your home, or at your place of employment or at school. People in your circle of influence would be equipped to live empowered lives with a positive and hopeful perspective and future.
The Lord is constantly working in our lives to transform our ways of thinking and this is one of the ways he has really worked on my life over the past year. Constantly reminding me how precious is the person that I may have ill feelings towards - and helping me to see that person as someone that makes mistakes just like I do. More importantly then all of this is to ask my Father to forgive me for having these terrible thoughts or words towards someone whom he created and loves so much - then He always helps me to work through the feelings which in turn gets me to a place where I can pray for them.
The saying "you are what you eat" also applies to what we spiritually choose to digest (read, see, watch and listen to). By reading God's word (the bible) and other affirming books, listening to Christian soaking music with life giving words and watching wholesome TV shows and movies you will greatly improve your inner life which in turn becomes your outer life including words you speak to others. You have a choice - choose life giving words that build, edify and encourage!
