To the extent that you achieve a holy and pure heart, you can naturally bear the 'fruit of the lips'. God had angels record every single word of His beloved children and let them reap what they sow and enjoy blessing, glory and wisdom in accordance with their professions. Let's set a guard over our mouth and receive great blessings.
Say Pleasant Words All the Time
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).
Pleasant words encourage those who feel tired and lose heart and give life to dying souls. On the contrary, evil words hurt others' feelings, invoke trouble, and may cause them to stumble and eventually fall into death. Are you speaking words that are less than pleasant, thinking you have good faith and are giving good advice to others?
People of goodness may try to conceal others' mistake or shortcomings and gently give advice with desire to lead them into spirit. They may lead them to change by giving grace through words of the truth that can move their heart.
But some people will point out the smallest mistake a person might make without missing the opportunity by indirect criticism or sarcastically speaking to him. There are those who gossip about others' shortcomings and pass judgment and condemnation on them.
As explained, even in the same situation words from lips can be so different depending on the goodness or evilness in people's hearts.
We should look back upon our words. Did you hurt others' feelings with words and then say that you were 'just kidding'? Did you reveal your bad feeling or anger in words you've spoken? Do you flaunt your strengths, such as a good physical appearance? In your 'conversation' did you speak maliciously about others' shortcomings?
You should look face-to-face straight at yourself and check to see if you blamed others with your words.
When you speak words that are not proper in the truth, it shows that you have forms of evil remaining in your heart. Search yourself and discover them, pray fervently to cast them away, and obey only the Word.
Speak Words That Make Peace
"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Small is the rudder that changes a boat's direction while sailing. If the rudder is broken or it is turned the wrong way, a ship could be capsized by strong winds or wrecked by hitting a rock.
The tongue is a small part of the body, but it has great power. When Rehoboam, who is Solomon's son, came to the throne, all Israel came and asked Rehoboam to 'lighten the hard service and his heavy yoke' to which he replied, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions." His words eventually caused the nation to be divided in two (2 Chronicles 10).
Even today when a person uses his tongue, a small part of the body, in a wrong way, it can cause trouble in the church that is the body of Christ. Words can bring misunderstanding, make divisions between people, break peace, and thereby disgrace God. Therefore, if your words cause others to complain or stop others from being united, you should first pray and look back on your words.
Apostle Paul always sacrificed himself and served others to make peace with them as well as work faithfully for the kingdom of God with his life (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). He could serve others like a servant although he performed with power because he eagerly wanted to save more souls.
Give Thanks and Praise in Faith in Any Kind of Situation
"Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you'" (Numbers 14:28).
Virgin Mary didn't sleep with her fiancé Joseph when Jesus was conceived. She knew that she would be stoned to death according to the Law.
But when she heard from the angel, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus", she said in faith, "Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." Moreover, she praised God's providence given to her and His power, holiness, and mercy (Luke 1).
Esther heard from her uncle Mordecai that Haman was planning to entrap her people, the Jews, who were captivated in Persia and destroy them. She offered up three-day fasting to God and came to the king with determination saying, "If I perish, I perish." It was because a person who came to the king without the king's command to come might be put to death. But she relied only on God and made the decision even preparing for death (Esther 4).
Then, God made her look lovely to the king, and her people were saved. And, it was Haman who fell into destruction.
As seen, God measures one's faith in the words from his or her lips and He searches their hearts. Therefore, you should believe God who is good in any kind of situation and offer up thanks and praise in faith.
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