DCLM Sincere Milk 13 February 2023 — Avoid hurtful words
DCLM Sincere Milk 13 February 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Avoid hurtful words
TOPIC: AVOID HURTFUL WORDS
TEXT: PROVERBS 15:1-7.
1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
MEMORY VERSE: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (PROVERBS 15:4)
MESSAGE:
Words are the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this
force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively with hurtful words. Somebody said, “Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.” One of the strongest signs of a good moral life is the right speech. One of the strongest pieces of evidence of a righteous life is healthy and comforting speech.
Unhealthy and hurtful words come from a person who has not benefited from the grace of God that brings salvation through Christ. Before speaking, take a few moments to think about what you will say and how you will say it; while being conscious of the impact it will have on the listener(s). Be kind in your speech and speak words that bring joy, comfort, inspiration, and encouragement to all. Kind and sweet words are always music to the ears of the listeners and healthy to their souls.
When you are preaching the gospel to sinners, don’t judge or condemn them but present the truth with kindness, gentleness, and simplicity. Hurtful words do not have any benefits, but gracious words do.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 12:16-18
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, help me to always speak gracious words to comfort and encourage people around me
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
