For starters, I suppose I need to tell you that I am a lover of accents. Might sound a bit strange to you, but I love different accents and trying to figure out where someone is from based on how their words sound. I’m a Midwest girl at heart but was transplanted to the desert of Arizona about nine years ago. Still, there will be times when someone will say to me, “Where are you from? You have an accent.”
I don’t necessarily think I have an accent, but I wish I did. Sounding strange again? Just go with me for a minute. Every time I visit the south (and by south, I’m not referring to Arizona), I just cannot get enough of the twang! Let it be known that although I have no geographical right to use the word “y’all”, I have whole-heartedly adopted it into my vocabulary simple because I think it sounds so cute.
While the conversation of accents might not yet seem all too life-changing for you, something struck me this morning while thinking about it. Someone’s accent is very telling about where they are from. Right?
And this is the part where God’s Word became alive and active to me this morning.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Many of you know that I’m no stranger to the book of Ephesians. I’ve spent much of the past two plus years within its pages. Still, this is the beauty of God’s Word. At the right time and when you need it most, God’s Word can leap off of the page and land right into the center of your heart. That’s just who He is, and that’s just how His Word works.
This happened to me this morning. As I’m sitting at my kitchen table, eating breakfast and pouring over the first chapter of Hebrews along with a few other passages, I began to think about my speech. About your speech.
About how our words are so telling.
The words that readily come out of our mouths depict the places in which we have allowed our minds to dwell. Similarly to where we come from geographically, our words are telling of where we are coming from spiritually. When I have gone an extended amount of time without intentional time with Jesus, my words are telling of it. When I have lowered my standards of entertainment and allowed my mind to be fed by the filth of this world that is packaged in the form of television, movies, and media, my words are telling of it. When I spend time with those who are quick to gossip, slander, and spew words of venom from their mouths instead of words that build up and encourage, my words are telling of it.
What are your words telling about you? Does your speech build up and give grace to those who hear? Or do your words sow discord and strife? Do your words bless the heart of God or grieve it? Remember, friends, your words are telling. What are they telling?
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