Speech: October 12, 2010

Today's Word for Tuesday October 12, 2010

SPEECH

DEFINITION

The power of speaking; a particular utterance; an address; a language.

SCRIPTURE

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:6.

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

You can usually judge a person's character by listening to his or her speech. As grandparents we are always interested in what is going on in the lives of our 20 grandchildren. Dottie was talking with one of our grandsons and she asked him how he liked his new school. He responded very favorably but went on to say that he had a mean girl in his class. Soon it was made clear that the reason he regarded the girl as mean was because of her speech. She called him degrading names and they were hurtful.

Children's behavior is a reflection of what they are taught in the home. It is the parents role to teach children how to speak with kindness and humility. In today's world the speech we, adults and children, hear is almost always degrading. A lot of what we hear would be R-rated in the movies. The problem is that what we hear on the street becomes part of us and influences how we ourselves speak.

As Christians we must be concerned about our speech. Paul instructs us to "Let our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one." We must always be gracious and respectful in what we say. In Ephesians 5:4 Paul further admonishes us about our speech telling us, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Most importantly, Jesus holds us accountable for our speech as we read in Matthew 12:36 (above).

What kind of speech do your children hear around the house? Is God's name taken in vain? Are friends, family and neighbors talked about in a negative and degrading way? What is taught about speaking to God?

Jesus was speaking to the devil, as recorded in John 8:45, when He said, "But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me." In verse 47, He goes on to say to Satan, He who is of God hears God's Words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. God speaks to the hearts of believers daily through His Word and we hear Him only if we are in tune with Him.

Our Lord wants to speak daily to those of us that believe on Him. Are you talking to Him daily, if not, why not? The only way that we are going to grow in the Lord is to listen to Him speak to us. And more important, if you are not communicating to God daily how can you survive this world and the evils we face daily?

Remember one is known by their speech. Words communicate much about a person. Take a good look at the words you use and the attitude that you show when you speak those words. Are they hurtful, profanity, egotistic or kind and loving? Your speech can drive people to the Lord or drive people away from the Lord.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in 1Thessalonians 5:17.

Pray without ceasing.

PRAYER

Help me to learn from Thy Word to evaluate my speech so that every word that proceeds from my mouth will glorify Your name. Help me to understand that the memory verse for this week, pray without ceasing, will help me control my speech so that others will see Christ in me.