Word of the Day
Beloved, let Me contend with hurtful words or wrong actions others have levied against you. Choose in your own heart not to receive them, and I will take care of the rest. Negative responses only perpetuate things and forestall the graces of My heart. I will take care of every word raised up against you (Isaiah 54:17). This is the heritage of My sons and daughters—to have righteousness, security and triumph over ever opposition. When you realize your place, your heritage of any need to retaliate or respond in a negative manner will fade away, enabling you to completely depend on Me.
When wrong hurtful words come out of your mouth in response, having destructive judgmental potential, they transfer intent and fault to another person thereby justifying your own position. If they have done things contrary to My will, it is My place to contend. I may use you to speak into their life if you are in a place of humility and not judgment. Love covers a multitude of sins and mercy triumphs over judgment (1 Peter 4:8 Proverbs 10:12). It is so for you—it is so for others.
Therefore, let no talk or language come out of your mouth unless it is edifying (Ephesians 4:29). If you think on whatever is lovely and upright, your speech will reflect it. You are what you eat. Eat the Word and you will be the manifested Word in your own life and the lives of others. There is no other way.
Know I am saying all of this because I love you and want your life to manifest an unparalleled blessing and fullness. Not only is it My job to do so but a most cherished privilege I do not take lightly.
“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it” (Ephesians 4:29).
Prayer
Lord, many have spoken against me at one time or another. Some have had more power to hurt me and cause me to defend myself in ungodly ways. I forgive them and release them from anything I have held against them. I bless them with Your Word and heart. I choose not to let the negative reactions of my heart to perpetuate things in my life or the lives of others.
I reap what I sow and I want to reap a good crop of blessings. I surrender my heart, my emotions and allow You to work complete forgiveness in my heart. In doing this, I will be more prepared in days to come when offenses come my way. I keep my heart pure and You contend on my behalf. The battle belongs to You.
I think on whatever is pure, lovely and upright and only good words, beneficial to the hearer, comes out of my mouth. I eat the Word and it sets me free from the lies and temptations of the enemy. Because of this, unparallel blessings are manifest in my life. Amen
Reflect and Journal
- Have you felt yourself on the defensive rather than the offensive with anyone in your life? Take some time to be in His presence and let go.
- Have you let the actions of others in anyway justify any behavior in your own life?
- What have you been eating? His Word? Wrong thinking? Anything else?
Looking back, I can only smile and thank God for the grace He gave me in moments of shame and public humiliation. I believe I was able to do it not on my own. God’s help is always present in timely need for His loving grace to manifest. He anointed my tongue and whispered to keep still. I was frozen and speechless.
Oh, that was good. Truly a shining moment in my Christian life. He equipped me with a humble and quiet spirit and that made it all. I felt good and from then on, I remember, it is good to keep quiet and keep from retaliating. Silence is the best antidote to condemnation and cruel utterances.
Just remembering how Jesus was mocked and put to shame was enough to hold on for some moments and bow my head in humble submission to the offender. It is just fine…my spirit says. I am just taking a bite of the bitterness of life and in doing so it tempers my soul.
I thank God for this grace that keeps me grounded, always remembering my frailties and my lack for indeed, in His power alone my weakness can find strength!