Scripture
John 7:18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Observation
Have you ever stopped and thought about the words you say? How you greet your family in the morning to co-workers and peers throughout the day? How would you feel knowing that each word you thought you were sharing in secret was, in fact, recorded and would be played about before all man-kind (Luke 8:17)?
I don't know about you, but this makes me want to shut my mouth. I suppose this is one of many reasons why James invites us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). There is great power in the tongue. Just crack the book of Proverbs open and you will see that with one word you can give life or crush a spirit (Proverbs 15:4). God has granted us amazing power to teach, encourage, and comfort those around us with our words. But when sin entangles us and we get ensnared and begin to brag, condemn, and gossip.
There is protection and blessing over our words when we choose to glorify God with them. Imagine if you stopped before you spoke and asked God how to best glorify Him in this conversation? According to John 7:18 He would label you a man (or woman) of truth, a label I desire with all my heart. There is a heavy weight on our words, so do not be hasty in sharing your opinion or thoughts with others.
Application
For a long time my desire was to counsel others. I felt I had a knack for noticing other peoples problems and where they had missed it, and I was sure I knew just how to fix them. What a fool I was. Now I feel a great weight when people come to me for advice. I am trying diligently to memorize scripture so that while listening to them and praying in my mind, I can offer the very words of God to them. There are many day's I fall short of this. I might respond with a harsh word to my children or may not even think about encouraging someone. But I am amazed at how far God has brought me.
Prayer
El-Roi, You see all and nothing is hidden from Your sight. In Your presence I am undone (Isaiah 6:4). My heart is deceitful above all else (Jeremiah 17:9), but Your truth sanctifies me and from it's overflow my heart speaks (Luke 6:45). God, my God, please continue to pour out Your truth into the hidden places and dark crevices of my heart. Transform my thought life and words through Your word (Romans 12:2), so that they would be pleasing in Your sight both now and forevermore.
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