Proverbs 15:24 (AMP) A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is!
Giving voice to thought – now, for me, that sometimes is very hard to control. As the Apostle Paul noted “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
The mind matters. Its thoughts must be taken captive – for a purpose. Why? Because out of the mouth flows the intents of the heart. The one follows the other.
Controlling both our thoughts, and our voice takes intentionality – in other words, CONTROL. You want to practice servant-leadership, get control of your thoughts and your talk.
The result of that control is “joy.” Giving a right answer. Building up: not tearing down. Encouraging. Providing advice. Saying the right thing at the right moment. The fruit of our words should be sweet and tasty – delightful to the ear. That’s not always the case for me. Tonality. Body language. I’m working on it – all the time.
How about you? Got the talk down? The timing right?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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1 comment:
To answer your questions, Yes, I think so.
But getting it right each time when the stress of life and the unreasonableness of others and ourselves makes it a task. As you noted, we all struggle with it. That's why when Paul writes about our sacrifice of love, it is a sacrifice. It is an effort an added layer of care to others, a fruit of the Spirit within us.
Every idea or message can be said many different ways. If we take the time to consider the consequences of our words before we speak we are heeding the Spirit within Who guides us to be an encouragement rather than a curse to others. Even discipline can be done in love if done in the Spirit of Love. But first you have to want to.
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