I’m hopeless with technology.
I’m getting too old for this.
I’ve never been very confident.
I could never do what she does.
We say things like this so casually that we barely notice them.
I’ve been paying much more attention recently to the words I speak – particularly the words I speak about myself. And I’ve caught a few that needed changing!
It’s made me realise how easy it is to keep describing ourselves according to our past, our feelings or our limitations, rather than according to what God says about us.
The Bible has a lot to say about the power of our words.
Verse of the Week
‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.’
—Prov. 18:21
That’s quite a statement.
Our words aren’t insignificant. They produce fruit.
So if I continually say, ‘I can’t’, ‘I’m not’, ‘I’ll never’, I need to stop and ask whether those words agree with what God has said.
I’m too old.
‘They shall still bear fruit in old age.’ Ps. 92:14
I can’t do this.
‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Phil. 4:13
I’m not capable.
‘Our sufficiency is from God.’ 2 Cor. 3:5
Challenges are real but even in the middle of them, we can choose words that agree with what God has said.
I’ve started becoming much more intentional about this.
When I catch myself saying something about myself that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, I correct it.
Right there.
Because I don’t want to spend years speaking words over my life that contradict what God has said.
This week, pay attention to your own words.
You might be surprised by what you hear.
And if something needs changing – change it.
Speak life.
Speak God’s Word.
And make sure the person hearing your encouragement isn’t everyone else but you.
Until next week,
Have a blessed day and keep shining!
Cheryl
