How to Choose Your Words Wisely When You Are a Volcano About to Erupt.

 

Have you ever been in a conversation and everything had been going smoothly until the other person said something that hit a nerve-the wrong nerve? Instead of being quite you spat some ugly words out. Then justified them, after all you were speaking truth. Knowing full well that you just revealed a part of your hurts, that you had kept secret for so long. The words that flooded out like a violent waterfall, the words that surprised you, had nothing to do with the other person, but had everything to with you.

Several months ago, my husband and I got into a heated discussion. He had been putting in long hours at work, which left me picking up all the slack at home. Bitterness and resentment seeped in during those long nights with the kids, and I was volcano about to erupt. Unchecked words flowed out of my mouth that night. The minute they were released, I wished I could have put them back in. Those very words shocked me.

Proud, is not the word I would use as I think about that night.

My reckless words revealed residue of my own insecurity and fear that I thought had vanished forever. I knew these feelings well. I lived these feelings for years through those lonely days of raising 3 kids while my husband was a resident working long hours. I felt them the day The Lord asked me to speak to a room full of women for the first time. I was swallowed up by them when I had to place my infant son in the hands of the surgeon, and wait in a dark waiting while my baby under went heart surgery.

The harsh words had nothing to do with my husband but had everything to do with my heart.

The power of words is fascinating. In the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to witness several instances where words were used to cut another person. I have, also chosen to use words in the wrong way, and have been on the receiving end of harsh words. I have seen how my words have shifted the atmosphere. I witnessed how words broke my daughter’s heart as a close friend told her she wasn’t her best friend anymore.

God, on-the-other-hand, used words to form our world (Heb. 11:3) and our very words activate faith to result in salvation (Rom. 10:9-10). Words have the power to bring hope, healing, and encouragement. Eternal consequences rest on the power of words (Matt. 18:18) and every word that comes from the mouth of God remains forever (Is. 40:8).

In yet, if we are not careful our words can be used in the pawn of the enemy’s hand to destroy someone’s identity and purpose. In order to be women at rest we need to learn how powerful our words are and how to use them wisely.

“For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart” Matthew 12:34

In Hebrew and Greek, the term heart is defined as “conscience, courage, mind, understand, the seat of feeling and affection” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible

Words merely give a picture to the internal speech of the heart.

The heart is the control center for our words and actions.

An unchecked heart that fails to acknowledge God’s truth, is like cancer it will eventually spread to your thoughts, actions, emotions, and words.

“The heart is more deceitful than anything else and incurable, who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Maybe you’ve left an area of your heart unchecked and your finding your words harsh and unkind. Maybe your like me, and you had spent so much time focusing on the outside that you left the inside unclean. I had become so busy keeping the house, kids, and even myself looking good to others, that I had left my heart unprotected, open to bitterness and offense.

All of us have deceit in our hearts, if left unchecked by the Holy Spirit. All of us need the blood of Jesus daily. Our own efforts to purify our hearts is not enough. Thankfully, through the blood of Jesus we can walk in victory! God promises the victory of overcoming to those who are in Christ.

“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

“I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe My ordinances” (Ezekiel 36:25-28).

So, my sister, is your heart heavy with deceit?

A helpful practical tool is to identify the lies, the false beliefs, you have begun to believe and replace them with truth. The lie was that I had a right to be resentful toward my husband. The truth says forgive (Matt. 18-22). The lie was that I was alone and couldn’t do everything. The truth says, “My God supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 “ I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

When I brought the lies and all that I had been harboring to the feet of Jesus I felt a sweet release, and a freedom that was accompanied by peace…an overwhelming peace.

What kinds of words are you releasing into the atmosphere around you? Are they words marked with joy, contentment, and security or are they marked with depression, fear, discouragement, and uncertainty?

Over the next couple of days, as you notice harsh words escape your lips, ask God to help you reveal the lies, and choose to replace them with His truths. Write them out and post them as reminders.