May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NLT)Most of us grew up being taught that if you can not say anything nice, just don't say anything at all!
Well, I must admit that "tact" has not always been one of my stronger attributes. I considered myself to be straightforward with my speaking. And needless to say "straightforward" and "nice" do not necessarily go hand in hand!
But in an attempt to be more considerate with my words... accountable for the things I say... I have been making a conscious effort to think before I speak. Being careful not to offend... hurt... negatively affect anyone with what comes from my mouth!
And to my own credit... patting myself on the back... I thought I was doing quite well! But seemingly, out of nowhere, God said to me.... You are coming through "loud and clear"!
I didn't understand...I thought to myself... I am watching what I say... not just blurting out the first thing that comes to my mind.... I am really thinking before I speak! Not offending anyone!
But God was reminding me that He could hear me even if no one else could. He listens to our hearts... so my conscious effort was just that... a conscious effort over my words and not my heart. God hears even the words we do not speak.... those we entertain in our thoughts.... our minds.... our hearts!
So let us today be reminded to give God not only the words that we speak but those we think about in our minds and hearts. He will transform them into a "talk" that is pleasing to Him!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 104:34 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm139: 23-24 (NLT)
"But the words you speak comes from the heart- that's what defiles you.
Matthew 15:18 (NLT)
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
Matthew 12:35-37 (NLT)
