Words that Build

For Tuesday July 21

Bethany, my granddaughter, likes to play with a stack of hollow building blocks that stack inside of each other. When I get down on the floor to play with her I like to stack the blocks on top of each other. Bethany’s favorite part is to knock them down.

Yesterday we were challenged to take inventory of our words, knowing that they have the power to pierce or to bring healing, to build up or to tear down. Today, let’s specifically consider ways that we can serve others with our words by BUILDING them up and not tearing them down. Ephesians 4:29 says, “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.” We all know that we don’t have to go too far or listen too hard to hear mean and hurtful words that are spoken daily to others. What a challenge we have to guard our speech from being influenced by the conversations around us each day.

Take a hold of the challenge today to not only guard our tongues from speaking “down” to those around us but to intentionally speak words that will “encourage” and “build up” those around us today. Do you know someone that struggles with a low sense of self-worth? Can you begin to make a difference in that person’s life today by sharing words that will build them up? Have you consistently spoken to your child or spouse or co-worker, or… and found that they have built a shell around themselves that you can’t get inside of? Begin today to serve them with your words that BUILD and not tear down. It may take some time but you may be surprised by the doors that will open up. Submerse your words in prayer. They possess power to shape the lives of those that we speak to.

Prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Amen