2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 13:1-39 ESV, John 17:1-26 ESV, Psalm 119:81-96 ESV, Proverbs 16:6-7 ESV
Daily Verse: “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,” (John 17:1 ESV)
LALEO (2980): “This word focuses on the articulated; distinct sound of the formed word in human language.”[i]
Formed words.
Jesus spoke audibly to His heavenly Father, praying for His glorification and our salvation. Christ used words for our benefit so that we would know His thoughts. Allowing us to listen to His conversation with the Father lets us know how to talk to God and pray for others.
What comes out of our mouths does impact those around us. Jesus’ words give us hope; we should do the same for others.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Uplift and encourage.
Before words leave your lips, ask yourself a simple question. Will, what I say uplift and encourage the listener or not? Socrates said the same thing differently:
“Is it true; is it kind, or is it necessary?”
Jesus prayed intentionally, using His words carefully. God’s message to us comes through His Son. We take God’s divine design for granted; He wastes nothing, especially words. Nor should we.
First, accept that what you say does impact those around you. Stop and think about what you want to say. Ask yourself, will this uplift and encourage or tear down and destroy? Choose your words carefully. Speak the truth when necessary with kindness.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 148) Thomas Nelson
