Our Words
So many big things happening in our world. Just reading the news these days is like riding a roller coaster. So many ups and downs!
I am grieved at a lot of things I hear being said. It feels like people are saying anything and everything that comes to their minds. There's no filter. I wonder if people have forgotten to be kind - to speak kind words. I have felt reminded by the Lord to be careful in my speech - to put a guard over my words and only speak what brings life and edifies.
This brought to mind one of my poems that I wrote - 26 years ago! I don't remember what was happening at the time, but I remember the words flowing as I sat down to write it. I feel to share it today. It's entitled "Words."
Words can hurt and words can heal.
Words can joy and gladness steal.
Words are mighty in spite of size.
Words can destroy or be very wise.
With just a simple word or phrase
We can delight or even amaze.
The power to impact someone's life each day
Should make us careful in all we do and say.
So easily we can destroy our friend.
A precious bond our words can rend.
A careless, unthinking word or two
Can years of building quickly undo.
We need God's help to guard our speech -
The Holy Spirit His ways to teach.
For if we speak before we think,
We may unhook a precious link.
We may re-act in fear or pain
And thus bring sorrow, clouds, and rain.
We may speak quickly what should never be said,
Unless by His hand we are hourly led.
Our heart is deceitful and exceedingly vain.
We may speak thinking there's something to gain.
To tame the tongue is a challenging feat.
It's clearly a problem we must work to beat.
To open our mouth with words of grace,
The Bible says should be the case.
To build up, encourage, and edify
Should be our goal as life goes by.
Oh Lord help us with care to speak,
And loving words to daily seek;
So that our speech will honor you
As your righteous example we continually pursue.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think on these things." Philippians 4:8
I find the verse from Philippians 4:8 such a good guideline. I pray in these tumultuous times that our speech will be guided by those things. May we be known as ones who speak kindness!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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