Proverbs 15:23 “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
Joy is one of the enumerated fruits of the Spirit. A Christian, devoted to walking in the Spirit for Christ’s sake, will have joy abounding in their heart. We take strength from the joy of the Lord, it is a fuel that keeps our resolve burning in the face of tumult and chaos. However, we must take care not to rob ourselves of joy.
The most effective way Satan can diminish our joy is by offering plenteous opportunities for us to stifle our own joy. A fire is easier to put out when it constantly has wood taken away from the flame. So how is it that we can be coaxed into losing our joy?
As our verse says, by the words of our own mouth. The words that proceed from our mouth should be cause for joy. There is joy in a truthful answer. There is joy in expressing charity towards others through words. Praise to God should bring joy to our heart. Yet, how often do we lament the words which we have spoken? How often is our tongue the cause for internal unrest?
As James wrote in his epistle, it is truly a marvel that such a small member can steer the entire course of our mind, body and soul. A person who is undisciplined in their words is a person who has little to no joy in their life. We should aspire to have words that are always spoken according to the perfect will of God. We should purpose in our hearts to readily seek forgiveness under the blood of Christ when our words are not as they ought to be. We should always be mindful that the past is lost to us and we should set our entire focus on the present and striving to say what we should instead of wasting thought and time on words we cannot change.
It is no coincidence that those who habitually think upon the things of the Lord, pray without ceasing, and commune with the Spirit are those that are most willing to speak things that they can take joy in. As a man thinks, so is he.
So the next time that your flesh, or a devil from hell, should try to bring words spoken in error before your mind be sure to stay your mind upon the Lord. Take joy that those errors did not separate you from God and that the blood of Christ cleansed you from such failures. Then continue to speak things that you can take joy in.
Words are simply the vocal representation of what lies in our hearts. If your words bring joy it is because you have already inwardly been joyous over what you are speaking about
Your fellowservant in Christ,
Bro. Jordan Foster
コメント