Give me Words to speak.

Once upon a time there was a young man who was considered wise, but his wisdom was not his own. His wisdom came from the One above and from the Bible. He knew Ephesians 4:29 and did his best to always be an encouragement. He strove to follow 2 Timothy 2:14-16 by “avoiding worldly and empty chatter” and by “handling accurately the word of truth.” He contemplated James 3 and knew that no man could bride his tongue that it is a restless evil. This young man knew that through God’s power was the only way that he could control his tongue.

Slowly but surely this young man’s reputation grew. He started having deeper and deeper conversations with people. They started asking advice on more difficult subjects. He was a great encouragement to all he talked with. God was working through this man to bring other closer to Himself. All of this was not happening, because the young man was wise in himself. It was happening because he relied on God. During every conversation he was constantly praying about what he should be said next. He was listening to God and the person. He was trying to understand the depths of the problem. God often gave him eyes to see and ears to hear. These conversations were not about himself they were about showing God’s truth to the hurting.

Over and over the young man was surprised at the way God used him. He was surprised at the insight he was gaining into the heart of problems. He was surprised at the way God would give him the right words. He was thankful for being used by God to minister.

Slowly that thankfulness wore off and the young man started to think the wisdom was within himself. He became proud of his ability to help people solve their problems. As his pride grew, his ability dwindled. He started to rely on his own wisdom and on logic. No longer did he rely on God. He stopped praying during conversations and asking God what to say next. As he stopped praying he stopped being an encouragement.

At times he would remember that God is where his wisdom came from, and then he would encourage others. These instances have become less and less. His own logic ruled during conversations. He proceeded like this for a long while, but then God made him aware of his pride in this area. Once again He has started to rely on God. The cry of his heart became “Give me words to speak.”

As you may have guessed I am that young man. Pride is an issue that I have been dealing with for a long time and will continue to deal with it. God is working and breaking down that pride. Recently God has been showing me the pride I take in way I speak. He has also been showing me the importance of my words. I have been turning these things back over to Him and am trying to wait on him for what to say.

Please take a moment to look at 2 Timothy 2:14-16, Eph. 4:29, James 1:5, James 3, and Matthew 12:36-37 (see end of note/post).

Please, join with me and ask God to give you the words to speak. Let us try and only say things that are worthwhile and that will build each other up. This is what God has called us to.

To God be the glory forever and ever.

Your fellow servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ,

Titus

Matt 12:36-37 (NASB)
“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment."For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."


2 Tim 2:14-16 (NASB)
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Eph 4:29 (NASB)
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear.

James 1:5 (NASB)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 3:4-18 (NASB
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What God has been teaching me

I would like to take a couple of minutes and write about a few of the things God has been teaching me lately.

On the 9th of March, I made a comment on one of my friend’s pictures. That comment started an argument that lasted two days. Each of us posted about twice a day. At the very end of the argument my friend made a comment that showed I had hurt her through me words. This caused me to stop and think. I wrote a quick, short, and not very heartfelt apology. I was sorry that I had hurt her, but I still felt like I was right. Within a couple of minutes of making this apology God started to work on my heart. After God had been operating on me for a while I wrote the following apology.

“I am sorry that we argued on facebook. After I left my last comment God showed me that I was wrong to press you. I should have just warned you and then left it at that. I am sorry that my pride has lead me once again to argue with you. God has been working on me but He is not finished yet. He showed me through this argument that I feel like I have to be right and that the person that I am talking to has to know it before the conversation is over. I am sorry that I was trying to force my views on to you. God is showing me that I need to be more graceful in those circumstances. If I have a differing opinion I should state it and leave it at that unless the person asks why I believe the way I do. I am sorry that I did not do this. I hope that you will forgive my stubbornness.”

Well, even now God is still working on my pride. As I sit and write this I have thoughts like “maybe people will read this and see how humble I am and how much better I am doing…” Pride is still strong within me, but God is working.

Fear is what God focused on next in my life. It started with a conversation with a friend. He helped me realize that I fear being alone, I fear rejection, and last of all I fear spending time with God. Also, my friend pointed out that God wants to help us overcome those fears and replace them with trust. He also said that normally this is not an easy process, but it is always worth it.

Right away God started to work on my fear of being alone. That fear actually stems from a couple of different fears. I fear being alone, because when I am alone I generally sink into a depressed state. I am afraid of that state. I don’t like the feeling also when I am depressed I make dumb mistakes. God has been taking that fear and He is showing me that I don’t have to be depressed when I am alone, because God is with me.

The last thing that God has been showing me over the past week comes from Malachi 1:6 which says “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master, then if I am a father, where is My honor?’ And ‘if I am a master, where is My respect? Says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests…’” This verse caused me to ask myself the questions “Do I give God the honor and respect He deserves?” Also, “Do I respect my father the way I should?”