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| #GuardYourMouthEvenOnSocialMedia |
We are living in strange times. People not only say terrible things, but they also post awful things on social media, attacking others. Attacking others is not Christ-following.
Cursing has become commonplace in the post-Christian culture that we live in, even with people in the Christian faith. I’m shocked at what people say and post on social media.
Under the unction of the Spirit, I feel led to remind you that there is a day coming when each person will give account for every word.
Don’t take my word for it; take Jesus’ word. Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak (Matthew 12:36 ESV).”
This should be sobering to us all.
If it is important enough for Jesus to address it in his teachings, we need to understand how to guard our mouths, even on social media.
Please allow me to share a short devotion with you that I have written on it.
HOW TO GUARD YOUR MOUTH
Have you ever said something that you wished you had never said? I sure have. It’s not a very pleasant experience to go through.
The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was one of the greatest leaders in history. If you do much reading on him, you will find that he was a man of few words, but when he did speak, his words were usually very powerful. He once said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” I’ve done my fair share of removing all doubts at times. How about you?
The greatest person who ever walked this earth was Jesus Christ. When Jesus spoke, the effect was powerful. His words brought life from death and turned chaos into order. I’m convinced that Jesus will help us guard our mouth if we allow Him. Guarding our mouth brings life and order.
A mentor of mine in the ministry has mastered guarding his mouth. I’m sure it has been with the help of Jesus. When he speaks, his words bring life and encouragement to the hearer.
I’m a work in progress and still learning that guarding my mouth brings life, but Jesus is helping me. How about you? Have you mastered it? Or are you still learning? Either way, Jesus will help us as we follow Him.
Beloved, allow Jesus to help you guard your mouth today and choose your words wisely.
Scripture: “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the ability to communicate through words, which is a gift you have given. Please forgive me for the times when I have misused that ability. I need your help in guarding my mouth so my words can always bring life and encouragement. Help me to know when to speak and when to be silent. When it is time to speak, give me your words and the unction to say them. Help me speak life and not death. Help me speak order and not chaos. Help hearers find encouragement in my words. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
I hope you will pray the above prayer with me, asking for Divine help. Bring life and encouragement through your words to people in your sphere of influence. Prayer and following Jesus will accomplish this in your life.
Beloved, I pray that Jesus gives you a mighty baptism of his presence.
Know that you are loved,
gaj
HOW TO GUARD YOUR MOUTH is excerpted from the book, Be Encouraged: A Daily Devotional, Volume 1, by Gregory A. Johnson. Copyright © by Gregory A. Johnson. All rights reserved. Click here for a complete list of Johnson's books.