Hurtful Words
But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
Matt. 15:18
"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man."
Prov. 27:19
Some days, do you ever wish that you were either deaf or not present when someone wants to lash out at you. Waking up to unkind words is just not fun. God has some things to say about that. He shares very profound thoughts that should be pondered on in the verses above.
What comes out of our mouths is exactly what we are feeling within our hearts. If the words are ugly and harsh, mean and thoughtless, degrading and cruel, then that is the condition of our heart. How sad is that! Stop and think about that for a moment and then pick apart each word above; ugly, harsh, mean, thoughtless, degrading and cruel. That is one sick heart that is in desperate need of a transplant. The replacement of that kind of heart can't be found in any hospital, but only within the healing hands of Jesus.
"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart."
Ezekiel 36:26
Things haven't changed, our hearts are no better today then they were thousands of years ago. Unless a heart is given to the Lord to mold and shape, renew and restore to His image and His will our hearts change. Spiritual renewal comes from God alone but needs to start with us desiring Him to do it.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."
Ps. 51:10
What we say can either be hurtful or uplifting, positive or negative. It is not only the words, but the tone, the body language and the meaning behind the message that will leave a lifetime impression, good or bad. We have been given a choice on how we will deliver a message to others. Our choice is whether we will use it for His glory and His praise or a choice that will be hurtful.
"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Ps. 34:13
"Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me."
Psalm 103:1-2
So, the bottom line is this; wake up in the morning praise the Lord, speak of His Glory and goodness, meditate on things above which will cause your heart to be glad and to rejoice. Starting the day with the Lord will create your heart to overflow with His love which will touch those you will encounter during your day. That's the kind of day I want to dwell in and share with others.
"Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction!"
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Prov. 4:1, 23
Thinking of Others
As you look back on your day and evaluate how you treated others, what do you see?
Was your day an "others" day or was it a "me" day? We live in a time of selfishness, a time when one thinks and acts for him or her self only. In doing that, we as believers, are acting no better than those that live in the world who are unsaved. Ouch!
First of all, we really should be living our lives every day in a "Christ" day manner which ultimately will result into an "others" day because that is how Christ lived. He lived His life for you and me.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
What exactly is an "others" day? Well, did you pray for those you encountered today or at least let someone know that your are praying for them? Did God give you an opportunity to do something special for someone that meant you had to stop doing your thing? Did you think of the other person before you thought of your own convenience first. Did you do something today that made someone stop and think, "Wow, he didn't have to do that for me, but thanks for thinking of me".
Or, was your day consumed with "me"? As you went about your business today, did you just make everything convenient for you no matter how it effected someone else? Did you go ahead and do it your way when you have been asked not to? Were your plans for the day void of thoughtfulness for someone else? Did you even consider the other person and what might please them?
If we are living our lives for the Lord, we will be placing others before ourselves. We will be occupied in the investment of others rather than being preoccupied in ourselves. Life is too short and so unpredictable to be wasting it when we could be redeeming the God given moments that are available to us all day long.
"Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others.
Phil. 2:4
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above ourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
Rom. 12:10-11
"No one should seek his own good, but the good of others"
1 Cor. 10:24
IN CLOSING....
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another, By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35
