The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Amos – The Last Call To Personal Holiness Part 4: Words

Good morning! I have a riddle for you…

Once they’re out, they can’t come back.

Of their weight, there is no lack.

People use them when they’re sleeping.

People use them when they’re weeping.

Some use them to make a pitch.

Others dig themselves a ditch.

Some are bad, and some are good.

They should all be used as Jesus would.

What are they?

That’s right – words.

Verse one of chapter one starts off with, “The words of Amos…” After that, he uses the phrase – “saith the Lord” – forty-three times. Amos chose his words wisely: God showed him what to say and he said it. We need to be wise in what we say: think before you speak. Proverbs 29:20 tells us, “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” And Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Choose your words wisely.

In James, chapter 3, the apostle wrote, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James3:5-10)

These things ought not so to be; choose your words wisely. 1Thesselonians 5:11 through 18 give us some insight on our lives which should be reflected in our words. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Thesselonians 5:11-18).

Our words should be a comfort to others (2Corinthians 1:3-4).

Our words should edify others (Romans 14:19).

Our words should admonish, that is, gently reprove. How did Jesus talk to the woman at the well who was ‘shacked up’ with a man she was not married to? (Colossians 3:16).

Our words should be peaceful (Proverbs 15:1).

Our words should be warning others (Ezekiel 3:18).

Our words should be supportive: you can encourage, or you can discourage with your words: be an encourager (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Our words should show patients with others (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

Our words should be rejoicing (Philippians 4:4).

Our words should be prayerful (Psalm 55:17).

And our words should be thankful (Psalm 26 (in particular verse 7, but read the whole Psalm: it’s all good)).

Your words reflect who you and what is going on inside you. If you are saved, they should reflect Jesus, so choose your words wisely.

Peace. (Psalm 19:14).