Watch Your Mouth
- Kara Stephens
- Oct 14, 2024
- 3 min read
“Our words are so powerful! How we interact with people and how we talk about other people says a lot about who we are and what is in our hearts.”
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
When I read this verse for the first time, I’ll be honest… I didn’t think it pertained to me. I don’t use foul or abusive language. This was one area I felt I actually had control over in my life. Yet, I studied deeper into the verse and what it meant. You know what I found? God’s definition of foul and abusive language. My NLT Study Bible went on to explain that God considers this type of language to be “unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, harsh words, slander and a bad attitude towards others.”
Ouch….now that pertains to me….
Our words are so powerful! How we interact with people and how we talk about other people says a lot about who we are and what is in our hearts. Matthew 12:36 says, “and I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” What we say, and how we say it, reveals what is in our hearts. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. We need to desire for the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, minds and attitudes to reflect Jesus.
Romans 15:2 says, “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” As followers of Jesus, we are called to be an encouragement to those who are around us, no matter if they return the favor. We are called to be a light and use our words to build up those we come in contact with.
If we struggle with that, then we need to take purposeful time with God and ask for Him to change us. We need to come to His feet and deeply desire that heart change, so that we can be an encouragement to those around us, and to do a better job at watching what comes out of our mouth.
Action Steps:
Reflect on the areas that you may struggle with when it comes to foul or abusive language. Do you harbor bitterness towards someone and therefore treat them differently? Do you use harsh words when you talk about someone who has hurt you? Ask God to help change your heart towards these people.
Reflect on your words towards your kids. Are you giving them encouraging words that will build them up? Or, are you allowing the stresses of life to control what comes out of your mouth, and possibly, unintentionally, tearing them down instead?
Prayer: God, help me to watch my mouth. I know that You have called me to be an encouragement to others and help build them up, but Lord, that is hard! Help change my heart so that I am seeing people as You see them. I want them to see You in my actions and my words. I pray that You help me to put that into action in my life. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Written by Kara, a mom who needs to watch her mouth
