Wednesday May 11, 2011

Theme: Scrabble

Weekend Music links on iTunes: My Savior Lives - Desperation Band, All to You - Lincoln Brewster, Attention - Know Hope Collective, How He Loves - John Mark McMillan

Read: Proverbs 15:1-7

Think: As our kids are growing up they are being exposed to some language that is, well, a little more colorful than what they’ve been used to so far in their sheltered life. Kids at school are trying out a new vocabulary – of the four letter variety – that brings my kids home asking a whole lot of questions.

No matter where you stand on the whole swearing and off color language thing, it just doesn’t seem right to hear those salty words on a little kids' playground does it? But I believe the same thing that causes us to cringe a little hearing those words come from a kid, is the biblical principle that guides us all. Let’s take a look.

The overarching standard for all who call ourselves Christ-followers is found in Ephesians 5:15: be “very careful . . . how [we] live.” Part of that is be conscious of how we bring honor God with our words. Here are just a couple of quick examples:

• We should steer clear of words that reflect poorly on who we are as Christians. The Apostle Paul puts it pretty clearly: “let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). That’s a strong standard for the God-honoring way we select our words.
• We please the Lord with our tongue when we show restraint. “He who restrains his lips is wise” Proverbs 10:19. When we speak, we are supposed to filter the words before they ever reach our lips: “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (21:23).
• It is important to use kind, positive words—even to address tough subjects. “A harsh word stirs up anger,” but “the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly” (Prov. 15:1-2).

Do: Honor God in each part of our life, remember to use words that are pleasing and bring honor to a holy God.

Pray: Lord, I know I’ve used language that can be less than honoring to you. Forgive me when I swear or use foul language. Help me to replace those words with ones that are good and acceptable and reflect who I am in You. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.