Our words are powerful – and if we’re not careful, our tongues can wreak havoc on the relationships and situations that matter most. In this Bible Reading Plan, you’ll dive into the truths the Bible tells us about our words and discover how to stop tearing down and start building up.LCBC Church
Day 1
Scriptures: Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:4
The Power of Words
It’s easy to underestimate the significance of our words. God warns us of their power to bring either life or death. You might think that sounds dramatic, but think of it this way: A teenage girl is struggling with her self-image. Mean-spirited, critical words can make her feel ashamed, isolated, and depressed. Positive, affirming, encouraging words can help her see herself in a new light. The mean-spirited words can bring death to a healthy self-image. The affirming words can bring life to her self-confidence.
Even words spoken without any intention of harm can inflict pain if we don’t consider how they might be heard by the other person. We can be flippant and careless when trying to come across as relevant and important, thinking more of our own position than of the person receiving our words. But well-thought-out encouragement, or even carefully worded correction, can lift someone who might be close to giving up or turn them from the wrong path.
Take time to consider the weight of your words before speaking. Recognize their potential to either uplift and encourage or tear down and harm. Pray continually for the grace and wisdom to speak life-giving words. When we align our speech with God’s wisdom, we can speak words that reflect his love and grace, bringing life and positivity into every interaction.
Day 2
Scriptures: Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 16:28, Colossians 3:12-13
Gossip
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with someone who is gossiping about another person? And has that ever left you wondering if they talk about you the way they talk about others? Worse yet, have you ever been the subject of gossip and were hurt when you learned what someone was saying about you?
That’s the devastating result of gossip. It causes doubt. It causes pain. Gossip can quickly tear apart friendships and communities, breeding mistrust and division.
God doesn’t teach us in his word to talk about each other. He wants us to talk to each other, living in community instead of disunity. The Bible is full of encouragement for God’s people to live in harmony, helping, praying for, and loving one another.
Gossip simply doesn’t fit in that kind of world. Gossip is self-serving. It tries to give importance to the person who has the juicy details. A kingdom mentality doesn’t seek glory for oneself. It puts others first. So refuse to participate in gossip, be it speaking it or listening to it from others. Instead, choose to use and encourage speech that builds up and strengthens relationships, fostering trust and integrity.
Day 3
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, 1 John 4:7-8
Sharing Truth With Grace
Sometimes the truth can be hard to hear. It can challenge (or force) us to flip our currently held feelings or beliefs upside down. It can be disorienting and scary. So speaking the truth to someone calls for patience, humility, and kindness. It requires love. And when we remind ourselves that every person is created by God in his image, then that love should flow through our words easily.
Speaking truth in love requires that we have the courage to share the truth people need to hear, but to do so in a loving, kind and compassionate way. Our God is loving, kind and compassionate, so he embodies the principle of speaking truth in love. The whole Bible, God’s Word, is his truth given to us in love.
If we work to see God in everyone, then communicating in love to others should be the rule, not the exception. After all, the greatest command is to love God and to love others. Words of truth spoken in love are words spoken in obedience to God.
Day 4
Scriptures: Colossians 4:6, James 1:19
Responding With Grace
When we’re listening to another person, we can’t control what they say or how they say it. But we can control what we say in response. Responding with grace means extending kindness and understanding, even when faced with difficult circumstances or differing opinions.
To do so should mean first listening, not interrupting, and hearing someone out. We can’t give a thoughtful response to someone if we haven’t heard the fullness of their side. Giving the respect of our full attention gives someone the honor that their words and opinions are important to us.
Then we practice being slow to speak. We give true consideration to what the other person says. This gives us time to absorb alternate ideas we hadn’t previously considered. And even if our minds don’t change, it gives us time to measure our response and the impact it might have before speaking. It allows time to let emotional reactions recede, God’s Word to fill our hearts and minds, and anger to become replaced with grace and gentleness as we respond.
If we cultivate this spirit of grace in our interactions, we can represent Jesus’s example of empathy and patience. And our conversations can build up, encourage and honor others.
Day 5
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:5
Building Up
Building others up involves intentionally speaking words of encouragement and affirmation. When we speak with that goal in mind, we demonstrate kindness, humility and generosity in our interactions. We seek to put the other person’s needs above ourselves and leave them feeling better for having listened to us.
There are countless opportunities every day to practice lifting others up. For example, parents talking to their child about school can focus on their positive achievements and their strengths that will help them overcome difficult tasks. A good manager can encourage an employee with words expressing belief in their abilities to accomplish a goal. A friend can listen without judgement and give caring advice to their friend who is struggling with an addiction. It’s about refocusing from the negatives to emphasizing positives.
If we commit to being a source of positivity and inspiration, we can use our words and actions to uplift and empower people around us. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we interact with others and we can help to create communities built on God’s love and grace.