December 10, 2020
Words Spoken
Beloved, how do you know when to keep silent and when to speak up? Twenty times you should stay quiet:
1. In the heat of anger.
Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. (Proverbs 14:11)
2. When you don’t have all the facts.
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. (Proverbs 18:13)
3. When you have verified the story.
But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. I confirm My Word with two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 17:6)
4. If your words will offend a weaker brother or sister.
Because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. (1Corinthians 8:11)
5. If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your family and friends.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left His case in the hands of God. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
6. When you are tempted to joke about sin.
Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. ((Proverbs 14:9)
7. When you would be ashamed of your words later.
My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. (Proverbs 8:8)
8. When you are tempted to make light of holy things.
Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in Heaven, and you are here on earth. So, let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
9. If your words could convey a wrong impression.
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
(Proverbs 17:27)
10. If the issue is none of your business.
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. ((Proverbs 14:10)
11. When you are tempted to tell an outright lie.
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. (Proverbs 4:24)
12. If your words will damage someone’s reputation.
Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.
(Proverbs 16:27)
13. If your words will destroy a friendship.
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
(Proverbs 25:28)
14. When you are feeling critical.
Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. (James 3:9)
15. If you can’t speak without yelling.
And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (James 3:6)
16. When it’s time to listen.
A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to corruption. (Proverbs 13:1)
17. If you may have to eat your words later.
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love it will eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)
18. If you have already said it more than one time (then it becomes nagging)
A foolish child is a calamity to his father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping. (Proverbs 19:13)
19. When you are tempted to flatter a wicked person.
A judge who says to the wicked, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. (Proverbs 24:24)
20. When you are supposed to be working, instead of running your mouth.
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)
Whoever guards his tongue stays out of trouble. (Proverbs 21:23) We will be held accountable for every careless, idle word we speak on judgment day. (Matthew 12:36) Twenty-three times in the Bible, we are instructed to guard our tongue. I challenge you to go on a fast from negative words spoken for forty days or longer. Document the changes that take place in your life. What if every word you have said over the last thirty days came to pass? Would you be happy? Your words do manifest in your life. Speak life!
Pray this with me:
Father God I boldly come before Your throne and I repent for every negative word I have spoken to someone or about someone. I sever those words at the root, I curse and renounce those word curses I spoke and I ask for crop failure for every negative, careless, idle word I have spoken. Father God please forgive me and help me to put a guard upon my tongue. Bless the person I have spoken against and the person I spoke to. I pull every negative, careless, idle word that has come out of my mouth up at the root and command those words to die in Jesus name. I declare and decree from this day forward I will watch the words of my mouth and speak life and life more abundantly in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
