“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8
I am often guilty of forgetting this verse. Or worse, choosing to ignore it. As one who grew up in New York and was very quick with a comeback (and still is,) there wasn’t much time to think be for I opened my mouth for a snarky reply. And people responded, often laughed at my sarcasm, even though at times it hurt others.
Yet, when I became a follower of Jesus, that was the first thing I was convicted of. Much of my speech wasn’t honorable, right, pure or lovely. So I silenced the voice that wanted to rise, the one that didn’t give much thought to what was tumbling over my tongue, and I know God was pleased.
But sometimes my words get lax, and recently I was convicted in the area or guarding my mind and tongue after I spouted one too many comments that just popped into my head. Comments not intentionally hurtful, comments not even spoken to someone’s face, but rather behind their backs. And I shouldn’t have let them come from my mouth.
Though I do admit, they were whity, and funny, and appropriate for the conversation and company, they still weren’t honorable or praise worthy. If I had taken the time to really think through whether they were true and pure and right, I might have kept my mouth shut. I might have had more compassion and offered up more prayers instead of jokes.
I might have been more like Jesus.
It’s such a hard line to walk. To know what is right and what is funny. I’m a people watcher. I’m a writer. I love words. I love to tell stories. I love to tell stories about people.
I choose my words very carefully when I write, and I’m not afraid to write the truth…but the truth can be written tactfully. The truth can be well thought out. The truth can even be a little raw and hard to swallow, but it doesn’t have to be ugly or hurtful to my spirit or others.
I felt a little dirty and ugly after the words came out of my mouth, but I failed to apologize for them. For that, I am sorry. I felt compassion, but failed to reach out, even through prayer, probably because the leading of the Holy Spirit had been squelched. For that I am sorry and am offering up prayers now. But I am thankful, that God is a God of forgiveness and He can wash us as white as snow.
And it is never too late to repent and change. Never!
Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean that I am perfect, but it should mean that I don’t stray from the path. That I should follow…even with my words.
Especially with my words.
Yes, sometimes the words we voice out loud and on paper can walk a fine line of being what is true and honorable and right. And I believe in real, raw writing, but if we keep close to Jesus and don’t stray from his lead, I know if we stumble, when we stumble, He’ll be right there, setting us back on the path.
Life is a journey. And Jesus is there to show us the way.
Jesus, help my words and actions be pleasing to you. And when they aren’t, please forgive me, help me see it, and set my thoughts on things that are pure, lovely and true.
Amen.
How about you? Have you said something you wish you could take back? Have your spoken or written words ever gotten you in trouble?
