The way we talk truly matters!
Lately with what’s going on in the news, I have been reflecting on the way we talk.
And as Christians, the way we talk should always matter. Whether we do it in locker rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, at work, anywhere else, how we talk to one another is very important.
Here are two simple reasons why the way we talk matters.
How we talk represents who we truly are
What we are is reflected through the way we speak. Once, Jesus said: “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15: 11, ESV)
Clearly, what we say and how we say it define who our inner being is. The place where our talks originate from is what Jesus calls the heart.
He goes on to say that “out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15: 19, ESV)
In order to talk, we use words to communicate. And we do it because we want to verbally express our thoughts. Don’t we?
So, words or talks are just channels we use to tell others what we have in mind. In other words, when we speak, there is engagement of our inner and spiritual states with our brain to say something.
The brain helps with remembering, structuring and processing how we have to talk.
Well, you may choose to embellish your speech or talk. But, who you truly are will sooner or later catch up with you.
That’s kind of a natural law. What’s on our heart eventually happens to come out in one way or another. And of course our heart will consequently express itself through words (talk).
[bctt tweet=”Therefore and based on Jesus’ words, what we should work on isn’t really how we talk, but who we truly are.” username=””]
In other words, work on your heart. Work on the stuff that is in you. That is what needs to change.
How we talk defines how we choose to relate to people
Thinking more and for a moment on Jesus’ words in Matthew, the way we talk has to do with how we choose to relate to other people.
How we talk also deals with why God has given us the ability to speak. By the ability of speaking, I mean what you and I can do to communicate our thoughts and ideas. This can be done verbally or nonverbally.
First, a talk is a big part of dreaming
God, before creating humankind, He dreamed about it. Sometimes, dreaming means talking to someone about a thing that has not yet been real. God did just that when He thought of creating humans. Here’s what He said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1: 26, ESV)
Other times, it means talking to yourself. I don’t know if this happens to you. But, it does to me. It’s as if it is even happening more often now, especially when I am preparing my sermons or writing a blog post. Lots of gurus in writing often encourage people to process their thoughts this way. The reason is as you talk to yourself, you hear what other people will hear when they read your writing or listen to your talk.
Second, a talk is an important ingredient of creation
God, the One who created us, used His words not only for dreaming, but also for creation. The story about creation in Genesis 1 states that God spoke and things came into existence. Words are very powerful!
Another thing that has to do with power of creation that comes with speaking can be found in one of Paul’s letters. “And with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10: 10, ESV)
Clearly, there is power in confessing, which is all about words we speak and the way we talk.
[bctt tweet=”Power that comes with words (talk) can lead to healing and forgiveness!” username=””via PasteurEmmanuel””]
James puts it this way: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5: 16).
Yes, your words and the way you talk can call things into existence. Forgiveness or healing that did not exist before can come to be in your life and in the lives of people around you.
Lastly, a talk can become a channel of blessings for people
Keeping in mind the other two reasons why our talk should always matter, here are 3 ways to help us use words God’s way.
Speak in a way your words inspire somebody
Before talking, ask yourself this question: “Am I going to inspire?” “Is what I say going to provide some clarity or direction to those who listen to me?” “Will my words help someone else find a way out of whatever they’re facing?”
Speak in a way your words encourage somebody
There is so much going on in people’s lives today. Everyone you meet or talk to on a daily basis feels like their energy is being drained out of them.
So, how you talk to them should aim at helping them find strength and courage to face anything unafraid.
Strength is what will help them not be influenced by what they are going through. Instead, they will resist and work on influencing their surroundings.
Speak in a way your words empower somebody
When you talk or speak, do you empower people around you? What I am trying to say here is when somebody hears you talk, do they feel stronger than before?
[bctt tweet=”To empower somebody is to give them the tools so that they can change their surroundings on their own.” username=””via PasteurEmmanuel””]
To resist forces that want to hurt us is one thing. But to face and conquer those forces is another. And that is power.
Bringing it together
Let’s always ask ourselves this question: “Do my words equip somebody to live a victorious life?” Whether it is a locker room talk or a bedroom talk; whether it is a talk at work or at a store, let it be done in a way to inspire, encourage and empower people around you all the days of your life! Don’t stop talking to people. But, talk in a way you channel God’s blessings into somebody else’s life!
I would like to hear from you on what you do to keep a clean talk with people in your life. Please share in the comment box below!
