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In my last post, we began to talk about how to live a set-apart life. We looked at our e-lives, the time we spend on computers, tablets, and smart phones, and were challenged to establish healthy boundaries to protect and strengthen our faith. God is the source of all holiness and in order to live set-apart lives, we must spend time with Him and be fueled by His Holy Spirit. Today, we are going to look at how we can be set-apart (holy) with our words.
When my son, Hunter, was ten-years old, he came to me one night with a humble confession. He said that because he hasn’t been spending much time with God lately, he has been grumpier and grumpier. He quietly admitted that he had been mean to his siblings and had said some unkind things. With amazing insight, he connected the amount of time that he spent with God and in God’s Word with his behaviors … recognizing that there was a direct correlation in his life.
Boy, can I relate to that! Tears welled up in my eyes as we spoke about this. I told Hunter that I experience the exact same thing in my life. That when I don’t carve out time in my day to spend with the Lord, I often say things I shouldn’t. For that matter, even when I do read my Bible and pray, I still say and do sinful things.
There was a time in my life when I really struggled with profanity. My tongue was a loose cannon. My church friends would never have known, but when I was angry, profanity was often present … even if only under my breath or in my mind. God has delivered me from that ugly habit, but it took over ten years of prayer. In those ten years, I failed repeatedly and struggled to believe that God could change my ways. It was a long-term process for me to be purified in my language, and I can assure you that it is only by the grace and strength of God that I can stub my toe now without needing to wash my mouth out with soap.
The Bible has so much to say on this topic! Here are just a few examples:
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20, NIV)
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. (Proverbs 31:26, NLT)
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3, NIV)
This is not easy-peasy stuff. Living set-apart with our words is simply beyond us… but be encouraged today, friend, because all things are possible with God! One of the most powerful ways we can make progress in this area is to keep short accounts with God. When we ask the Lord to filter our words through the Holy Spirit, He disarms the loose cannon of our tongues.
At the end my conversation with Hunter, I told my son that one of the most amazing things about our Heavenly Father is the mercy that He greets us with when we come before Him to confess our messy behavior. I said to him, and I say to you, God loves us so perfectly, that every time we turn to Him with a repentant heart, He offers us His grace. Go in His grace and live a set-apart life in the power of His Spirit today.
Lord, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14, NLT)
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE:
- Meditate on Hebrews 4:14,16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Now, grab your journal and throw yourself into this devotion. What are your greatest areas of temptation and weakness regarding your words? Confess those to God and ask Him to grant you the mercy and strength to help you live a set-apart life.
- Read Ephesians 4.
- LET’S TAKE THIS TOPIC DEEPER! Leave a prayer request, relevant thought or just comment below say, “I’m committed to set-apart living!”
Comments 19
I was thinking about the law of kindness and in my web search came across your article. The observation of your son is true and I feel even common amongst believers. Whenever we miss too much time with God our old nature shows up and we don’t act like Him. I’ve personally experienced this. My prayer is to faithfully abide in Hos presence and that the law of kindness is on my tongue and that I manifest His presence in my everyday life.
“I’m committed to set-apart living!” I need a lot of prayer, thank you so much ! Patricia
“I’m committed to set-apart living!”
I’m committed to set apart living with Gods help.
I’m committed to set apart living with Gods help.
Satan is trying to overwhelm my patience this morning as I walk with the Spirit in words and actions. I pray for my sisters and myself that I will be able to continue hand in hand with the Spirit and trust that He will help me be patient with others and with myself. Praise the Lord!
Gwen pray for my husband as he is so jealous on what others have an what he wants help me get thru to him that he needs to change his way of life and learn he is not always the boss that others can lead also. and help me as I fight the devil every day with trying to live right and for the Lord.
I’m committed to set apart living!
It has be so nice this summer to be able to read this devotional and to pray about my day before it really gets hectic. I too have a problem with my tongue. But it has been so much easier and better this summer. My prayer is that as the new school year starts, that I will hold my tongue and only use it to glorify God, no gossiping or swearing under my breath.
For me, this is a daily CHOICE, to commit myself to live a life set apart for Christ, however i like many of you struggle with life challenges, family disappointments and other things. But i’m hopeful that if continue to trust (have faith) in Jesus Christ i can do all things through him.
“I’m committed to set-apart living!” I pray the LORD will help me to become the woman He made me to be. Show me! Teach me! Guide me LORD! This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)! Thank You LORD!!! Amen!!
Oh my goodness how this has just slapped into reality!! I harbor so much hurt from sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse as a child. I find myself lashing out at my girls (10 & 7) and my husband. Today, I am beginning a new prayer for God to completely heal me, take my defensive attitude and feel me all over again. My girls and husband know I love them and would lay my life down for them; but I wonder if they really feel loved. There is a difference in knowing you are loved and feeling loved. My new scripture is Proverbs 31:26.
It breaks my heart to read about your childhood. All kids want and deserve a happy life. As a teacher, when I hear of this, it really tears at my heartstrings. Praying for you to only look ahead, not backwards.
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I am committed to set apart living! I have a problem with saying mean things to my husband when i get angry. I pray God helps us to understand eachother better & for me to be patient & silent when i would tell.
When i would yell.
I struggle with so many things! One thing is unfogiveness! My in laws hurt my daughter and I so much with their unkind words and attitudes. Even though it has been years ago and things have gotten better, I still struggle with it. I have said I forgave them and I mean it but old hurts crop up…knowing from You Gwen that my struggle will eventually bear fruit brings me hope.
Your reply hit very close to my heart, Terri. This is something I struggle with also. I have said a prayer for you.
I am committed to Set Apart Living! Last school year I had a problem with talking about someone (in my mind I was just venting) but it made me feel so ugly inside and in my heart I knew it wouldn’t be the way God would or want me to handle the situation . Thank you for sharing.
I appreciated your article, Gwen. I struggle with gossip and my tongue can be my downfall. I am committed to Set Apart Living!