Everybody wants a to enjoy life, right? No matter where you live on this earth, what economic level you have been blessed with or what circumstances you may have encountered, you want to be happy.
I like what songwriter Pharrell Williams said in his song, “Happy” ~ Clap along if you know what happiness is to you. To me happiness is knowing God’s love and living out His plan for my life.
Look at this scripture about happiness and enjoying life!
If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
1 Peter 3:10(NLT)
Wow! This scripture just comes right out and gives some life-saving advice: Guard your words and you guard your life. I know it sounds simple, but sometimes the simple things are overlooked yet can have the most powerful impact.
King Solomon said it like this:
Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue. (Proverbs 18:21)
Everyday we are either speaking life or death in EVERY situation we encounter.
Does what I say really matter?
YES! The Bible says our tongues are like bridles on horses or rudders on ships, and can guide our entire lives.The tongue can direct your life towards good things or bad. It’s interesting that such a small part of our body so powerfully influences our future.
I’ve met people who almost always speak positively and others who are very negative. Let me tell you: Those who speak good things eventually land in a good place, no matter what comes their way. Sadly, those who speak negatively seem to always struggle, spiraling downward.
We’re all tempted to say wrong things at times, especially when life gets really difficult. But remember, what comes out of your mouth will be working for you or against you.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)
Have you ever heard or said this?
I’m just going to tell them what I really think!
Well, we learned a very important lesson a long time ago; you simply don’t say everything you want to say. Instead you say and do the right thing even when the wrong thing is said and done to you.
Unfortunately, Words have caused Wars! What you say to others can bless or curse them, build them up or tear them down. It’s ESPECIALLY important in relationships to choose your words very carefully.
Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
Proverbs 12:18 (GW)
Many years ago I learned this lesson the hard way! Jill & I were having a bit of a misunderstanding (ok, an argument) :-/ and I was saying all the wrong things. Needless to say, things got a LITTLE heated, if you know what I mean!
In my pride and arrogance I was ready to fire back with what I thought would be the argument-winning statement! But as I thought about it, I realized even if I was right, I would still be wrong because I was not treating her the way I should.
The next thing I thought was, “I could show her with scriptures just how wrong she is, and surely THIS would be God’s answer to our dilemma.” But once again a little voice inside me said, “No, that wouldn’t be right either, and besides, even the enemy knows how to quote scripture!” (Matthew 4:6)
Then I heard the Holy Spirit say, Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church, and then, Husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel. (Ephesians 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7)
Ouch!!! That’s not what I wanted to hear! But I decided to repent and follow His lead, and the next words I spoke brought peace, love and resolve to the situation. Thank God!
Brothers and sisters, let’s choose our words wisely! For our own sakes and for those we love, can we bridle on our tongues and say things that bring life and not death? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you always respond the way Jesus would respond (WWJD!), then you’ll experience more of the abundant life and happiness He gave to all of us so freely!
Pray this simple prayer with us:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Speaking Life,
P.S. There are SO many more verses we wanted to include in this teaching, so attached here is a list of scriptures to continue encouraging you in your quest to Speak Life. (Download Now)
