Words, Words, Words
Opening Prayer
My Lord, may my words flow from a heart that is singly devoted to You, and may they breathe life to others.
Read Matthew 12:22-37
[22] Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. [23] All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” [24] But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” [25] Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. [26] If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? [27] And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. [28] But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [29] “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. [30] “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. [31] And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. [33] “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [35] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [36] But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does fruit tell about the tree from which it fell?Some people have an amazing ability to be able to speak: they seem to just open their mouths and beautiful words flow out! One of my friends is so close to the Lord that her words are gracious, her thoughts are pure, her encouragements are always verses from Scripture. But some of us have only to open our mouths and out comes the saddest stream of drivel and unloveliness. We know that what we do and what we say depends on, and reveals, who we really are. Jesus told his critics that his words and actions showed he was ushering in the new kingdom of God (25-28). So this immediately raises a question: what do our words and actions reveal of our true nature and of the state of our hearts (34b)? If a glass of bitter water is knocked over, bitter water comes out; if a glass of sweet water is nudged, what spills out? It’s obvious–yet don’t we often hesitate to apply the logic to our own speech? There is good news, however. Look at verse 31–and Jesus’ promise of forgiveness. Because without that forgiveness, there is a dreadful moment yet to come for each of us (36).
Apply
When you speak worthless or hurtful words, be quick to acknowledge it, and when needed, to ask forgiveness.
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to understand the power of my words and speak good words that bring life.
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