“Be an example to all believers… in what you say…”
My attention was drawn to these words the other morning and I paused for a moment, thinking about the things we say. Words are one way in which we communicate with others. We use words to share life experiences and to encourage each other. We use them for instruction and every so often they are needed for correction or reproof. Words can build up or tear down, depending on which words we choose to speak.
Be an example to all believers…
I jotted the words in my journal, and, wanting to let them ruminate in my heart, I went on about my day.
Then, without warning, the Spirit of God reminded me of a day when this bit of advice was lived out before me in a clear and special way. It still brings a smile to my face.
Several years ago, our family was going through a time of intense struggle, and it felt as if we were surrounded by negativity and misunderstanding. Our spirits were heavy, and we struggled to believe that God himself had not abandoned us. Sometimes what you know in your head doesn’t match what you feel in your heart. (If you are human, you know what I am talking about!)
Then one day we received a phone call. Our family was invited to the home of a wise, older couple for dinner and the evening. I will never forget his words as he asked us to hold hands, making a circle in the middle of their living room floor.
“You have had a lot of cursing spoken over you lately, and we just want to pray a blessing over your family.”
He did just that.
And his words washed over my spirit, rinsing away the lies that were trying to take root in my mind. I stood a little taller, able to hold my shield of faith a little higher. I received new energy to fight the enemy another day.
All because of a man who was an example of the believers in the use of his words.
God has given us the incredible gift of language.
He has also granted us the privilege to choose the kind of words we will speak into each other’s lives.
He wants each of us to be an example to others in what we say.
I find it a mighty big challenge, but I pray that I will be the person who whispers blessings into another’s ear, enabling them to lift their head a little higher and stand a bit taller in the middle of the battle they are facing.
Because I really want to be an example like the one who was once an example of the believers to me.
And I want them to smile at the memory for years to come.
Will you join me in looking for ways to bless others with the words that we say?