Devot. Foolish Talking

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good weekend!

This devot. for today is a bit of a tough one.   We are told from Scripture that our speech is to be

be grace filled and "seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6),but James shares how our speech can fluxuate between speaking this way and cursing. 

 

James 3:8-10, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

 

The devot. for today shows the practicality behind this verse:  How we can speak in a way that honors God and blesses others, or how our speech can be degrading and hurt God's heart.   I think one of the biggest ways we do this using His name in a careless manner, like saying , "O my God!" or even "Gosh" (a derivative of 'God'), even "Jesus!"  Exodus 20:7 states, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;  for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  

 

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/vain/ says the word 'vain' means "empty, foolish, useless."   https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vain says the word means ""of no value."  

 

If using the Lord's name in a certain way brings less value to it, then we are using His name is a way that promotes that it is NOT valuable at all, and it is!

 

Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."   God's name has the power to save anyone!  

 

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."    God will hold us accountable for our speech someday in Heaven, that is weighty.......

 

I know that habits in speech are hard to beak.   You hear it at work etc...and it's very easy to pick up, I understand that, but let's each evaluate, listen to our speech this week though and ask the Lord for HIS help in re-conforming our speech so that we reflect Him and honor His name.  

 

Lord bless you and yours this week! 

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/2192   (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/homepage/)