The power of the words we speak is far greater than we realize. “Life and death is in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).

God gives me no task except that which requires my dependence on Him to do it. Therefore, there is nothing I should regard as automatic. No conversation should be on auto-pilot. I need to ask for His guidance, His wisdom and His empowerment so my words please Him; so I will not have to account for careless words on the Day of Judgment.

If we want our words to have lasting value and impact, they need to be touched and shaped by God’s words. That will happen as we make an ongoing daily choice to expose our minds to Scripture, to meet with Christ, and let Him rub off on us.

Perspectives from God’s Word

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36).

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Perspectives from God’s People

“An unbridled tongue is the chariot of the devil, wherein he rides in triumph.” —Edward Reyner

“God has given us two ears, but one tongue, to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak. God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips, to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue.” —Thomas Watson

Excerpted from Randy's devotional Seeing the Unseen.

photo credit: Bruno Belcastro via photopin cc