“So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;” Isaiah 6:5
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
The bible speaks a lot to the product of our mouths, our words having great power. This power can be good or bad, destructive or glorifying. Isaiah knows this and feels unworthy to be in God’s presence because of it and only after he is purified by God, is he then sent out to spread the word of God. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging the readers to use their speech to worship God in praise and thanksgiving.
I have witnessed this power firsthand both as a child and as a parent. When I was growing up, my father had a temper that sometimes would lead to harsh words, but even more damaging were his words that were used to mislead. He was not a man of his word and would often spin a great tale of things that he would do for me raising my excitement level, but in most cases never followed through. This created in me a heart of dissatisfaction and skepticism. It would take years for me to move past this and begin to trust others, including God. God on the other hand has never let me down or misled me. His love never fails and he always follows through.
As a parent, I have fought hard to follow God’s example when it comes to loving my children with my speech. I struggle with my temper at times, but God continues to work in me as I endeavor to move closer towards Him and His ways. God is more than able to create in me a clean heart and help me to have lips that bear this fruit to those around me.
Father, Continue to change me from the inside out, breaking down the walls that I have built up so that I can be who You have made me to be in this world. Amen
Allen (allen4myfamily)
Sixty-six books in a year 