Col 4:6, Proverbs 10: 19
I was listening to Robert
Morris from Texas on “The Blessed Life,” and he was teaching on the subject of our words.
His point was that words can be hurtful. His recommendation, and also the
Bible’s recommendation, is that we pause, ponder and pray over what we say to
people. Now, in a conversation we
know we can’t drop on our knees and pray in all circumstances, but we can start that day
with that prayer for guidance in the use of our words.
Col. 4:6 says, ”Let your
speech be with grace, seasoned with salt that we may know how to answer each other.” This is a good start. Whatever we say, may
the words be of understanding and compassion, truth, bringing encouragement and
lifting that person’s spirits as the situation requires.
The Bible repeatedly warns
us, especially in Proverbs, about talking too much. If we’re talking, we’re not listening and if we
are not listening, we are not learning anything about another’s personality or
needs. Listening is one gift of Mercy
that needs cultivation in the power of the Holy Spirit.
For the coming year, let us
all pray for the gift of “listening” and count(reckon) on the Holy Spirit to
use this gift in us.
As was said earlier, we can’t
always stop and pray formally for right responses, but we can breathe instant
prayers and perhaps there are times when we sense that the person talking would
like us to pray aloud right then and there for their need.
Let us all be open to the
Holy Spirit’s leading through the day as we listen to other’s conversations,
problems and needs.
LDis
