Words, Words, Words

July 22, 2011

“My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding” (Psalm 49:3).I don’t believe any of us understand how important our every word is. Solomon, the wisest man ever to live, said in Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” David prayed in Psalm 19:14, “May the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my impenetrable Rock and my Redeemer.” Both of these patriarchs knew there was a direct correlation between our thought life, our words and our actions. Remember the old adage: “Sow a thought – reap an action; Sow an action – reap a habit; sow a habit – reap a character.”

When others evaluate your character they can ascertain what value you have put on your thoughts and meditations. Another old adage says: “You can’t help the birds flying over your head but you don’t have to let them build a nest in your hair.” Satan works in our mind to plant temptations – doubt, fear, worry, lusts, etc. A tempting thought might come but we don’t have to meditate on it or consider it in any way but we are instructed in II Corinthians 10:5 to intentionally choose to lead every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. When a negative thought (whether critical, untrue, impure, judgmental, destructive, etc.) comes into your mind, acknowledge it for what it is and refuse to dwell on it. Instead begin meditating on what is good, on what the Word of God says. Submit yourself to God and resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Quote scripture back to Satan, the tempter and your enemy, just as Jesus did when Satan tempted him (Matt.4:1-10).

“Even a child is known by his doings whether they be pure and right” (Prov. 20:11). We are known by what we do (our words, our acts, our attitudes, etc.). This becomes our reputation and character. We must place a guard on our thoughts and meditations because we will speak them out in words and act them out in deeds. If we want our words and acts to be pure, right and wise we must, first of all, “guard our heart with all vigilance, and above all you guard, for out of it flow the issues (the outgoings) of life,” (Prov.4:23). Next, submit ourselves to God and thirdly resist the devil with God’s Word.
If we diligently follow this formula we will succeed in thinking and living intentionally.

Paul gave good advice to the Church in Philippi, “And God’s peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is love and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your minds on them)” (Philippians 4:7-8).

Yield Not To Temptation
Horatio R. Palmer

Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin.
Each victory will help you some other to win.
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue.
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain.
God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain.
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and true.
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

To him that over-cometh God gives him a crown.
Through faith we will conquer though often cast down.
He Who is our Savior, our strength will renew.
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you.
He is willing to aid you. He will carry you through.