We are responsible for how we use our words. As our children at church wind up this segment of the study of responsibility, they are being asked, "What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words." The Bible is pretty clear in any number of places about what we are and are not to do with our ability to string sounds together to make words that communicate ideas. Ephesians 4:29 says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
I am particularly concerned with what we say to and about children and young people. Whether we care to believe it or not, a word that we say in carelessness, anger, frustration, impatience, or thoughtlessness can and does leave a deep imprint on a child. As parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and Christians, we have a spiritual imperative to encourage them (Matthew 18:6). My prayer is that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit to determine the right words to say that will influence the children and young people in our care to become who God has created each of them to be. We have the responsibility to speak hope and truth into their lives. It is from us that they learn who God is.
How we speak to each other is critical to our Christian example. It isn't a matter of how we are feeling at the moment. We are explicitly reminded throughout the New Testament to encourage and comfort one another. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to "...exhort (encourage) one another..." daily so we aren't hardened by sin's deceit. Later in Hebrews 10:24-25, we are instructed, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
I don't always feel like being nice to people. My human nature isn't always tuned into using the power of my words to help others. Far too often, I'm focused on me, myself, and I; encouraging others is the last thing on my mind. Yet, I do not want to be the one who utters the discouraging word that may contribute more to someone's burden or lifetime of "mistaken identity." I don't want to just be too lazy and self-absorbed to miss an opportunity to lift someone up. My prayer is that I will daily realize that the Holy Spirit is living in me, and if he is in me, then I should be showing the fruit of his presence (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit should then be in use, edifying and lifting up those around me.
The verses that follow Ephesians 4:29 admonish us to not grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30) but to "...be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (v. 32). We can use our words responsibly to encourage if we seek to be filled with the Spirit- "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19). Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, 35).
Let's fill our hearts to "abundance" with God's word, for our responsibility to others is clear - we are to use our words to encourage others.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...." Luke 16:10a
Heavenly Father, I pray that "the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart" will be acceptable to you, and that I will use those words to encourage others and point them to you. In your name, amen.
