Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.²

Recently, I heard that the average person spends one-fifth of their life talking. If all of our words were put into print, the result would be this: A single day’s words would fill a 50-page book, while in a year’s time the average person’s words would fill 132 books of 200 pages each!

Samuel Clemens (better known by his alias Mark Twain) attended a Sunday morning service. Afterward, he met the pastor at the door and told him that he had a book at home with every word he had preached that morning. The minister assured him that it had been an original sermon, but Clemens still held his position. The pastor wanted to see this book so Clemens said he would send it over in the morning. When the preacher unwrapped the book, he found a dictionary and in the flyleaf was written this: "Words, just words, just words."

Oftentimes we dishonor God when our words of Him are spoken for our own glory and not His. Others are disillusioned and raise objections, but it’s actually God's followers they're objecting toâ€" our hypocrisyâ€" not God. That truth hurts because we want to represent Jesus well to the world, not detract from his goodness with our failures. The truth hurts even more because we know there are people out there who call themselves Christians but don't act like Christ. It's important that we seek to show true faith to the world. Guarding what comes out of our mouths is essential. We want to build others up, not tear them down. We want to demonstrate love, not anger or meanness. We want our words and our actions to be meaningful representatives of God’s Holiness and abundant love, not just empty words to fill books. Use every opportunity and conversation to show love to others with your words and your actions. Let God be honored with every one of those words that will leave your mouth today!

Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, I am guilty of speaking about You but not for You. Please allow the words that I speak to bring You glory and honor in all circumstances. That when I speak Your Words, others will be blessed and not indifferent to Your name. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

1.    Colossians 3:17 (ESV).

2.    Psalm 19:14.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.