Speak Life, Speak Love
Speak Life, Speak Love
Marquise
Hi, my name is Marquise. Recently, I think God has been teaching me the power of uplifting speech, and using my words to glorify God instead of myself.
In the past, I never looked at gossip or hurtful speech as a “big deal,” and would often disguise gossiping as “venting” or “sharing my feelings.” After guidance from the Lord, I began to work on this area of taming my tongue, but so often I failed and became discouraged as I read James 3:8, “but no man can tame the tongue…” Thanks, James! ;)
As I prayed and studied the Bible to grow in my control over my negative speech, I felt like I kept messing up and honestly I just wanted to give up. Sadly, after a while, I was so discouraged that I stopped praying and reading scriptures about controlling the tongue because I felt it was pointless. But the Holy Spirit contin-
ues to work in me, until I responded in obedience. I had to remind myself, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).
I knew I would have to lean in to the Lord if I wanted a breakthrough in this area, so I decided to pair my bible study and prayer with fasting!
I wanted to focus on the grace that has been extended to me and hopefully display that with the way I talked to people. During this time not only did I grow closer to God, but His grace began to abound as He helped me realize the depths of negative speech.
The Lord showed me that my words have power and consequences (Proverbs 18:21) and my speech should be a reflection of His love and encouraging to others, so that it may benefit those that hear it (Ephesians 4:29).
Everyday, I still struggle with negative speech and guarding my heart against gossip. The more I focus on the Gospel and God’s grace, I am learning to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). I know my speech will never be perfect, but I will continue to strive to please God and uplift others with my words, not by tearing them down, but building them up, as I point to the One who made me right before the Father!
In the past, I never looked at gossip or hurtful speech as a “big deal,” and would often disguise gossiping as “venting” or “sharing my feelings.” After guidance from the Lord, I began to work on this area of taming my tongue, but so often I failed and became discouraged as I read James 3:8, “but no man can tame the tongue…” Thanks, James! ;)
As I prayed and studied the Bible to grow in my control over my negative speech, I felt like I kept messing up and honestly I just wanted to give up. Sadly, after a while, I was so discouraged that I stopped praying and reading scriptures about controlling the tongue because I felt it was pointless. But the Holy Spirit contin-
ues to work in me, until I responded in obedience. I had to remind myself, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).
I knew I would have to lean in to the Lord if I wanted a breakthrough in this area, so I decided to pair my bible study and prayer with fasting!
I wanted to focus on the grace that has been extended to me and hopefully display that with the way I talked to people. During this time not only did I grow closer to God, but His grace began to abound as He helped me realize the depths of negative speech.
The Lord showed me that my words have power and consequences (Proverbs 18:21) and my speech should be a reflection of His love and encouraging to others, so that it may benefit those that hear it (Ephesians 4:29).
Everyday, I still struggle with negative speech and guarding my heart against gossip. The more I focus on the Gospel and God’s grace, I am learning to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). I know my speech will never be perfect, but I will continue to strive to please God and uplift others with my words, not by tearing them down, but building them up, as I point to the One who made me right before the Father!
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