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Insight's to the Word with Pastor Teague!
I was driving home today from our weekend at Pigeon Forge and thinking about how our words can make us or break us. I know I have mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Our words can either give life or they can release death in others. Words spoken in criticism and judgment of others don’t identify those we slay with our words – they reveal the hateful agenda in our own heart toward another person.
One thing I have noticed in my research with the succeeding generation and character traits they display is that they are possibly the most critical generation we have ever heard from. They are not only quick to judge and criticize but they are quick to articulate their judgement and criticism. I’m not sure why. I’m not sure if being raised in an entitlement era lends them the license to be so critical or not – but whatever – it is the most difficult generation to speak words of encouragement, praise and promotion of others that we have seen. In driving today and considering how not only this age group has been given somehow the freedom of speech to slander others behind their backs and be their best friend to their face – but in general, why most people today don’t consider more of what we say and how we say it. I have asked this question before about those who claim the right to say what they want because “That’s just who I am!” or “I just tell it like it is!” Where is the production of the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Where is patience? Kindness? Long suffering? Why are we so quick to judge others because they don’t fit our litmus test of a perfect personality? Where is the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life that produces what we can’t in the flesh – words that are influenced more from the Holy Spirit than from carnal man?
I jotted down some words (actually while sitting at a stop light) that came to mind as to what our words can do. Let me share them with you:
Our words can:
Deny: deny Holy Scripture and the relationship with Christ that the Word produces.
Define: define our character and our personality; our testimony of Christ in our hearts.
Divide: we can divide friendships and families with our words.
Direct: we can give direction and we can receive direction with our words.
Determine: our words will determine our friendships, our testimony, our future.
Destroy: we can literally destroy a life or build one up by our choice of words.
Distract: we can engage conversations with others and distract them from their duty and their life journey.
Words are powerful. I want to challenge you today to find that one person who “rubs” you the wrong way, doesn’t like you, etc. and pour into their lives words that are meaningful and not critical or judgmental. Speak to them in a fashion that actually “goes against your grain.” Let the Holy Spirit lead your mouth and not just your heart.
Judging others because they are different than we, speaking against them, speaking down to them will never satisfy the Holy Spirit in you. I remember David put together an army of misfits and became a powerful threat to his enemy. Misfits – yep, those people that others looked down on, judged, laughed at and scorned. Misfits – those that the church today would not allow to work in the church, serve in the church – when they have done nothing but be different. They don’t laugh at your jokes, they don’t smile at you very often, they may not act like you, eat what you eat or may not even be as “good” as you are. David built and army of the worst of the worst. Misfits. Today, most churches wouldn’t give them a chance. Would you?
Again, let the Holy Spirit lead you to speak differently this week. Speak words that edify instead of disqualify. Words of encouragement instead of discouragement. Words that build up instead of tear down. Words that honor instead of dishonor. Here’s another challenge. Speak words that should be spoke in the right season. Just because you know something about someone that’s not “right” or “good” doesn’t give you the license to say it out loud to them or to the public in general. There is a time and season for everything (Eccl.3). There is even a time to keep your mouth shut instead of allowing it to run like a chain saw at high speed.
One last thing. Take a quick look at these passages of scripture and realize that what we say is important to others…and the Lord Almighty.
Matthew 7:2
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
James 5:9
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
Just a thought! But it may be that one last thought that disengages your mouth from saying something your heart will regret. Be blessed.
Pastortimteague's Blog 
Just reread the “D” Word again. So True and Powerful. I’M just praying that God will let people see the same in me. Somehow we fill free’r when people let us off their hook.