Seasoned Words

Language fascinates me. It always has. The more I think about combining letters to form words, and then words to make sentences, the more it intrigues me. 

In my humble opinion, no other language can hold a candle to the English language. Perhaps I am biased. Maybe it is simply because it's the language most widely used. Or because it's the one I know best. While the reasons are debatable, it remains my favourite. Suffice to say, it's at least annoying, (if not downright irritating), to hear the language I love misused. And, truth is, I'm not the only one who feels strongly about language. God listens to our speech. Angels are recording our every word. In His Word we are told:

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Colossians 4:6

But to my shame, the words that I use, the sentences I form, are far too often anything but a form of beauty. Often I am ashamed to even think that these utterances could have come from my lips. But it is too late to wish back. Words, once spoken, can never be taken back. You may be forgiven, but there is nothing you can do to erase your words from the minds of others.

We will have to give account for our every word. Are the words I speak true? Do they uplift, strengthen, and encourage? Or am I destroying the very work I profess to do by verbally wounding those for whom I am called to lay down my life? Do I squander precious moments where I could speak of Jesus, instead filling them with empty words? Do I sometimes twist the truth, even just by my body language when I say things? 

Poisonous words permeate the entire being. And we must not think that vain repetitions, profane utterances and such involves only those who speak them. They multiply evil. There is sure to be someone who follows your example, who is affected, tainted by your influence.

“Keep the tongue sanctified unto God. Cease to dwell upon the shortcomings of others. Refrain from saying anything that might detract from the influence of another, for by indulging in these words of criticism, you blaspheme God's holy name as verily as you would were you to swear.” 1SAT 367.2 

In fact, this is so important that we have the following statement: "Remember that those only will enter heaven who have overcome the temptation to think and speak evil.” RH 11/24/1904 

Truly, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" Prov 18:21 

In his book "The Lost Art of Thinking", Dr Neil Nedley has a 14-day plan to improve thoughts. In the last two months I've gotten this challenge at least four times by various means, from Sedaven campmeeting, to my Wildwood course! (I wonder if God isn't trying to tell me something...)

14-day Plan to Improve Thoughts:

• For 2 weeks (14 consecutive days) decide to say nothing critical or negative about anything or anyone. 
• If you slip up, begin counting again right away, until you achieve 14 consecutive days. 
• Don't get discouraged, even when you have to start over you will have benefited because you will be more aware of your thoughts. 
• After completing 14 consecutive days, you can introduce constructive criticism, and you will be a far better judge of what that really means. 

To date I can't actually say I've made it through a day...But I've realized that this is not something I can do in my own strength.

We need God to search our hearts.  

We need to plead for Divine help to overcome. 

With David we must pray: 

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

 And so I'm starting again, relying on Christ's strength to help my weakness.