- Why can’t you do anything right?
- What were you thinking?
- Why are you so fat?
The cuts from these words have left many of us with scars. In this broken world, and in our imperfect condition, there is no way to escape the hurtful words of other people. Some people knew they were hurting us, and others have continued to follow unhealthy or abusive ways from their past. Whether people know they are hurting us or not, disrespecting, destructive, and abusive words are NEVER acceptable for anyone, especially disciples of Christ. We must live in Christ’s healthy boundaries in our life.
World’s Lies About Freedom of Speech
American’s often hurt other people because we twist our constitutional right to speak as a license and an entitlement to disrespect, dishonor, and abuse others with our words. When we live with other people, we must speak to them the way we want to be spoken too. As disciples of Christ, we are called to encourage and build one another up.
We all see the results of skewing our constitutional right to speak in the news. There are so many examples of racism, discrimination, disrespect, saying mean things while trying to laugh it off. When did being the “mean” girl or person become acceptable, and how has that worked out for the world?
God’s Truth about Words
What does God say about the words we speak? What boundaries does He give us to help us walk with Jesus?
- “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Pro. 18:21, NIV)
- “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29, ESV)
- “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” (Matt. 12:36, ESV)
People will continue to do what they know or what they can get away with in our sinful flesh. Unless you learn how to speak God’s life-giving words and implement them in your life, you will keep using words of death. When you proclaim to be a Christ-follower, your words must give life. The third verse above is clear that one day we alone will stand before our Lord and be held accountable. Our words are not just in the moment or our lifetime. Our words affect our eternal life.
Christ’s Disciples Must Choose Words of Life
We became new creations in Jesus Christ because of our decision and words. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Rom. 10:9-10, NIV)
Jesus gave us his life. As his disciples, how will we honor all that he has done, and he is still doing for us? Let us grow in a deep personal relationship with Jesus and let him transform our words into his. Let us commit our hearts and minds to study God’s word and learn who Christ is and his ways. Let us show the world the love and kindness of Jesus living in us through our loving, kind, and gentle words. It’s time to be the disciples of Christ and speak his words of life!
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