Perhaps you remember the biblical inquiry, “What do you have that is not your own?” Now when we think about this verse we often think about our possessions, or gifts, or even time. We acknowledge that all of these things are gifts from the Lord and as a result need to be used for HIs purposes and HIs glory.
But have we ever thought about our words in this way? Are they not a gift from God? Should they not be used for God’s purposes and His glory? Why do we think we own our words even though the Bible is clear that ALL we have comes from God.
In our reading today we came acrosss the prophet Balaam. He was asked by the Moabite king to curse the people of Israel. He was asked to use his words in a very specific way. To his credit he did not immediately agree. He went to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord was very clear that it was not His desire to curse this people that He intended to bless. Balaam seemed to get the point, but when approached again, this time by more honorable people, being offered a more honorable reward, Balaam was tempted to see if there was a way he could accomodate their request.
Through a very interesting story that involved a donkey talking (I mean if a donkey can use its words properly, can’t we?) Balaam comes to the conviction that “The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” (vs. 38). Balaam, as God’s prophet, had come to the right point!
But is this only for prophets? Are prophets the only ones that need to speak only the words the Lord puts in our mouth? I think not. If we are true to Scripture we would have to say that our words are a gift from God to be used for His purposes and His glory, like every other gift God gives us. Have you ever thought about your words in this way?
The applications of this truth are numerable and obvious. The next time you are ready to ream out your spouse, or child, or work associate, or friend….think about the fact that your words are not your own. Your words are a gift to achieve the purposes God has for them. Thinking this way will be a great guide helping you to avoid wasting words on self-serving purposes.
But rather than just focusing on avoiding negative uses of words, let follow the counsel from Isaiah 12:3. In this verse Isaiah gives the great positive end for our words. Listen to them: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted.”
The privileged purpose of our words is to offer praise to God, and to use them to help others know how awesome and good our God is. Let’s all commit to this use for our words. When we do we will be contributing to the furthering of Christ’s kingdom in a world that desperately needs a “good word”.
But have we ever thought about our words in this way? Are they not a gift from God? Should they not be used for God’s purposes and His glory? Why do we think we own our words even though the Bible is clear that ALL we have comes from God.
In our reading today we came acrosss the prophet Balaam. He was asked by the Moabite king to curse the people of Israel. He was asked to use his words in a very specific way. To his credit he did not immediately agree. He went to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord was very clear that it was not His desire to curse this people that He intended to bless. Balaam seemed to get the point, but when approached again, this time by more honorable people, being offered a more honorable reward, Balaam was tempted to see if there was a way he could accomodate their request.
Through a very interesting story that involved a donkey talking (I mean if a donkey can use its words properly, can’t we?) Balaam comes to the conviction that “The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” (vs. 38). Balaam, as God’s prophet, had come to the right point!
But is this only for prophets? Are prophets the only ones that need to speak only the words the Lord puts in our mouth? I think not. If we are true to Scripture we would have to say that our words are a gift from God to be used for His purposes and His glory, like every other gift God gives us. Have you ever thought about your words in this way?
The applications of this truth are numerable and obvious. The next time you are ready to ream out your spouse, or child, or work associate, or friend….think about the fact that your words are not your own. Your words are a gift to achieve the purposes God has for them. Thinking this way will be a great guide helping you to avoid wasting words on self-serving purposes.
But rather than just focusing on avoiding negative uses of words, let follow the counsel from Isaiah 12:3. In this verse Isaiah gives the great positive end for our words. Listen to them: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted.”
The privileged purpose of our words is to offer praise to God, and to use them to help others know how awesome and good our God is. Let’s all commit to this use for our words. When we do we will be contributing to the furthering of Christ’s kingdom in a world that desperately needs a “good word”.
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