Good Friday morning to you my ‘Walking with Jesus” friends.
How would you describe the power of WORDS? Do you remember the child’s rhyme, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” That’s a lie, isn’t it? In fact, would you agree words can be far, far more wounding than sticks or stones or even bullets or bombs? This is the reason Twitter or Facebook or similar social media platforms are so very powerful. Words matter, and often it’s not really important if the words are true or not, would you agree? Once spoken, words can never be retracted, and once the word wounds are inflicted, things will NEVER return to how things were before those words.
Now these are some powerful opening statements I’ve made! Have you found, in your experience, that I am speaking the truth?
“Walking with Jesus” is all about words… powerful words, important words, life impacting and maybe life changing words! Why? Because everything I write and speak is rooted in the most important words ever recorded… God’s Words, the Bible.
So, let’s rejoin Peter as he has some really important words for us today. 1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God!” Wow! That hits us smack in the face, doesn’t it? The truth is a very large percentage of all the words written, read, spoken or heard today will CONFLICT with that statement. Because almost every word you and I receive today, from all the different sources, will NOT be words that honor God! Most words we hear today are NOT rooted in God’s Truth!
Peter’s statement challenges me BOTH in looking closely at the content of the words which emanate FROM me, but also, I’m seriously looking at the flow of words I allow INTO my ears. So, friends, how do you measure the significance of words, the impact of words, the value of words? What do you conclude about people who use words foolishly or people who use words skillfully or what about people who use words as weapons and wound others deeply? Would you agree words are a good reflection of the heart and character of a person?So, what difference would it make in your city if every person who claims to be a Christian lived, every day, these words of Peter: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God!”
Do you remember these words buried deeply in the Old Testament, in Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Here’s a wise word which has helped many young people: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word, O God! I seek You with all my heart, do let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Ps. 119:9-11) Or how about these wise words: “Your words, O God, are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105)
I’m sure you know Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses, but did you know that almost every one of those verses refers in some way to God’s Words? So, here’s an important question: what is the source of words you most often go to when you need hope or wisdom or reliable advice or help in making decisions? Why is that source of words a source you trust and is it really reliable?
The other morning, in my personal time of encounter with God, these words jumped off the page of the Bible and burrowed deeply into my soul: “Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your truth. Guide me in Your paths, for You are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.” Oh my that’s really good, isn’t it? I repeated it to myself over and over, all day long, and each time I did the words seemed to burrow deeper into me. What difference should it make in my life if those words became my passionate pursuit? Have you found some powerful words like that which guide your life?
So, let’s make some decisions together today my friends about WORDS! Here are 4 specific action steps I’ve developed today that you and I can take to align ourselves daily with Peter’s powerful challenge: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God!” First… Establish a high standard for words that you will NOT tolerate in your mind.
For instance, any words that are derogatory toward God. Or any words that are sexually suggestive or any words that are vulgar or wicked or evil or might give Satan a foothold in your life. Ask God to help you build a filter for non-negotiable words…words you simply will not tolerate with your ears or your tongue!
Second… Establish a high standard for the source of words you will trust or even consider.
Refuse to listen to words from sources that are dishonest or deceitful or vulgar or demeaning to God and His holiness. That might even mean you need to disconnect from some of the word sources in your life like some social media platforms or some TV channels or Internet sites.
Third… demand from yourself an inflow of many more words that promote holiness, integrity, virtue, and honor than other types of words.
You see, it’s one thing to restrict certain words from gaining access to our minds and hearts, it’s another thing to intentionally FILL our minds with the right, God honoring words that will help us become the men or women God designed us to be. What is your appetite for words and where do you find yourself grazing on words? How selective are you?
Fourth… Don’t use words which you don’t fully understand! Believe it or not, the meanings of words change with generations!
Let me close by repeating Peter’s challenging statement and adding one from the apostle Paul. Together they form a great guide for our words for the rest of our life: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God!” (1 Peter 4:11) And this: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph. 4:29)
Now here’s a great song to help us think about the power of words, what our words say to the world about our hearts and our character:
Today’s Scripture is 1 Peter 4:11.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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