Words that build up or tear down
Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:33-37
Words can become our worst enemy. From the text, Jesus gave a stern warning on not taking for granted what we say to others. Words are important for they reflect what is in our hearts. When we let our guard down and we let the word comes out in our mouth without a serious thought, they can become destructive. God’s admonition is to have our mind engaged in an exercise that will greatly affect the way we speak. A good heart will produce good words. As our physical body needs exercise to keep it healthy so does our mind so that the words that come out will bring encouragement. We must be careful as to what we put into our hearts. This is what the Apostle Paul advised Christians at Philippi. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). Exercising the mind includes contemplating on things that are noble and truths found in His word. Let us not allow popular philosophy found in this world to fill our minds that could lead to ungodly thinking. Expose your mind to the truths of God found in His word for in it you will find what is “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and good.” What you let seethe in to your mind will be clearly shown by the way you live. When you allow profane and worldly thoughts to fill your mind, this will lead to ungodly living. You are the one that will determine what you fill your mind with. If you choose the mind of Christ, it will result to Christlikeness. Choose the things of God and meditate on the magnificent truths of God. When you do they will create in you a character that can have positive impact to others and will bring glory to God. Your words can have great potential in building up others or tear down. They can be used to advance God’s kingdom or can slow down its expansion. Do not forget, we will be held accountable as to how we use words.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
