The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap consequences.
Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
The verse for today really intrigued me, so I looked it up in the NAS version of the Bible. It sent me to two other verses:
Matthew 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” and also Proverbs 13:3 “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin”.
They are all equally a warning to us. The truth is we must speak our words carefully. Not only for ourselves, but also for the ones we love. We have the ability to tear down or build up those whom we love on a daily basis. I know this for a fact, as I grew up in a house where there wasn’t a lot of building up.
In my home, as we grew up, there weren’t a lot of positive, encouraging words spoken. In fact, most of what we heard was very destructive to my life. I suffered self-esteem issues as a teenager and even into adult years. I never trusted anyone to really love me for myself until I met Jesus. When I met the Lord, I never knew anyone could love me unconditionally. He had a lot to teach me! But, as a result of my home life, I also suffered from depression and thoughts of suicide during the tumultuous teen years.
I also met my husband at a young age, too. Between him and God, I learned what real love was. Ronald seemed to genuinely love me through all of it. He was a rock for me and proved it over and over with words of love and encouragement whenever he could. He made me feel I was worth something. I didn’t always receive them; in fact I doubted them a lot! But he meant every word he said! He stuck with me through that time and is still here 35 years later!!
I also read a lot of scripture then and tried to focus on that. I know that we really need to realize when, how, and what we speak because words touch us in ways that can be good or bad. Things we say in anger can really hurt our husbands and loved ones. I am a testament to that. Our relationships are shaped and nurtured through our words.
My son, who has gone through alcohol and drug abuse when he was a teen, said that had we not told him every day that we loved him and were praying for him daily during that time, he would not be here. We spoke life and healing words to his soul as often as we could, and I believe I still have my son because of those words. That is how God speaks to us.
What words does the Father say to us that we can hang onto and speak to our spouses?
*Jeremiah 29:11 Tells us that He knows us and has a plan for our lives!
*1Peter 5:7 Tells us to cast our cares on Him for he cares for us affectionately and watches over us.
*Romans 5:8 Tells us that even when we still in sin God loved us and Christ died for us.
* Psalms 62:8 Says trust in Him and we can pour out our hearts to Him because he is our refuge.
* Psalm 147:3 Says He heals the broken hearted and binds up our wounds.
* Psalm 103:8 God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
*Psalm 103:13 Says God shows us compassion just as a father would.
These are words form our loving God and Father! He speaks life and love to us throughout His word. Can we be any different? Unfortunately I am sometimes. Matthew 12:36 says that “we will give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word we have spoken”. That should give us pause to think before we speak.
I try, and often fail, to speak words of life and love to my husband everyday. I even text him throughout the day to let him know I’m praying for him. It’s an easy thing to do, so why don’t I do it all the time? Ladies can we purpose today to be more like our heavenly Father and speak life words to our husbands? It benefits him as well as us. It shows him you love him and are concerned for him. It builds him up and in turn you are built up, as well. That can only benefit your marriage if you build one another up. And it gets easier the more you do it!
Like Lynn, I want my words to speak life and healing. How about you?
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Let’s pray:
Lord we thank You for the gift of words. We thank You that You love us through Your word. Help us to always speak life and healing to our husbands and shut our mouths when we are tempted to tear them down. Give us the right words at the right time to say. Thank You for being our example of what words can do. In Jesus name-Amen
Your Assignment:
I’ve already texted my husband and told him how much I appreciate his working hard and for the provision for our family. I know that is important to him. What life words can you speak specifically to your husband, whether in a text, phone call, note, or even right to him, that will build him up and make his day? Comment below and show us how we can do the same.
I pray you all will have a life building day!
Donna
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For the “Winning Him Without Words” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!