What we say is important. The Bible states that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). We need to change our vocabulary. We need to speak words of life and light. Our talk should always rise to the level of the Word of God.
We Christians should be known as people who speak positively, those who speak the Word of God into situations, those who speak forth words of life.
We should not be like the man who joined a monastery in which the monks were allowed to speak only two words every seven years. After the first seven years passed, the new initiate met with the abbot who asked him, “Well, what are your two words?”
“Food’s bad,” replied the man, who then went back to spend another seven-year period before once again meeting with his ecclesiastical superior.
“What are your two words now?” asked the clergyman.
“Bed’s hard,” responded the man.
Seven years later – twenty-one years after his initial entry into the monastery – the man met with the abbot for the third and final time.
“And what are your two words this time?” he was asked.
“I quit.”
“Well, I’m not surprised,” answered the disgusted cleric, “all you’ve done since you got here is complain!”
Don’t be like that man; don’t be known as a person whose only words are negative.
If you are a member of the “murmuring grapevine,” you need to resign. In John 6:43 our Lord instructed His disciples, “Murmur not among yourselves.” In Philippians 2:14,15 the Apostle Paul exhorted the believers of his day:
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”
Contrary to what you may have heard, talk is not cheap. Talk is very expensive. We should know that our words are powerful. What we say affects what we get from others, and what others get from us. When we speak the wrong word, it lessens our ability to see and hear the will of God.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.