WATCH YOUR WORDS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Think about this, what would you talk about with those around you if you refused to tell gossip, get involved in other people’s affairs, or participate in quarrels and drama? In today’s study from the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that our words are powerful and that the wise among us seek to reign in the damage that can be done by the tongue. 

18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death

19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

(Proverbs 26:18-19 NIV11)

Just Kidding

Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows… what a powerful image. How many times have you spoken ill of another person and then tried to cover up the offense by claiming that you were only joking? That seems to be ubiquitous for all human beings. 

The wise child of God needs to hear this teaching and decide today to cut this kind of falsehood and sinful speech out of our lives. No more justifying rude behavior by pointing to a misunderstood sense of humor. 

20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. 

21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. 

22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. 

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

(Proverbs 26:20-23 NIV11)

Gossip

Telling other people’s secrets, speaking about the actions and words of others behind their backs, and turning other people’s mistakes into jokes at their expense, these are all forms of gossip and they have no place in the life of God’s people. 

When we gossip, conflict is bound to follow. People always find out when their so-called confidants and friends break their confidences. Gossip is a destroyer of relationships and it kills our witnesses as the people of God. 

God’s children need to be the kind of people that any and every one can trust. Our word needs to be our bond. If we say we will hold a confidence, then that is something that we must do as we are accountable to the Lord. 

24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. 

25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. 

26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. 

(Proverbs 26:24-27 NIV11)

Crushed

In the last line of this teaching there is an image given that speaks volumes about the pain that comes from quarrelling, gossip, deception, and manipulation. The writer of Proverbs uses the image of a stone that is being rolled away, presumably uphill. This stone will not stay where you roll it to, it will in fact roll back on you and crush you. 

Golden Rule

And so it is with our speech. We must remember the message that Jesus Christ gave to his followers in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

•  Do you want to be lied about?
•  Do you want those you trust to share your secrets?
•  Do you want others to create drama and trouble in your life?

Challenge

Then we should seriously take stock of our words and seek to honor God with what we say. It is for our good and for the good of those who are looking to us to help them understand and accept the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.