There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. Mark 7:15
Without a doubt my greatest challenge and sin are the words I say.
Words said in anger.
Words said to make a pointed point.
Words said to punish.
Words said carelessly without thought.
Wounding words I can’t retrieve.
Things I say to impress and elevate self.
Gossip and slander.
Lies and words that manipulate.
Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
It’s a matter of what’s on the inside.
The focus of a heart that wants it’s own way.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4: 2-3
If I’m silly enough to push a skunk, I’m getting sprayed with stink.
Did the push cause the stink or was it already inside?
I can trigger the skunk’s reaction but I didn’t cause the smell.
I am a skunk.
My stinky words are already there, swirling around a selfish, wounded heart.
A heart that wants to be heard.
A heart that wants recognition and acceptance.
A heart that wants what it wants.
Like the skunk, I’m not thinking about the other person as I spray words that smell and sting.
The answer isn’t to avoid people who push – the answer is to allow God to neutralize the stink.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” –Jesus, John 15:5
Remain, abide.
As I learn to stay focused and connected to the vine, He grows His fruit.
He grows it in me, on the inside.
When life pushes, in place of stink and self stench, fruit pops out.
The fruit of gentleness and self-control.
Fruit of patience and peace.
Fruit of kindness.
Fruit of love and joy.
Fruit of forbearance.
Instead of a response that causes recoil, I remain connected to the vine – I abide with the gardener, the fruit grower.
I trust He can do what I can’t.
I surrender control and allow God to operate.
Heart surgery – removing the places where stink lives.
His healing salve applied.
Salvation lived.
Speak to please God.
Love his glory more than mine.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ in me.
A fragrant offering to God.
Living sacrifice.
Worship in spirit and truth.
Un-conform to the world.
A world that celebrates speaking my mind – even at another’s expense.
A world where self and pursuit of self are revered.
Flesh is strength.
I cannot serve two masters.
I cannot serve both self and God – choose this day whom I will serve.
When I draw near to God, He draws near to me.
Purifies my heart.
Helps me become a doer of the Word.
Doubt creates a double mind – neither here nor there.
Tossed like a wave, back and forth.
Unstable.
Take every thought captive.
Cling to the vine.
Live by faith.
Rejoice in hope.
Constant prayer.
Blessed are those who remain steadfast under trial.
He restores, confirms, strengthens and establishes.
God is faithful.
Suffering produces endurance.
The Lord fights for me - I need only to be still. Click To Tweet
Peace that passes.
Lean not on my own understanding.
He works all things for good.
I fear no evil for the Lord is with me.
He hears and delivers.
His grace is sufficient.
Through many tribulations is the kingdom entrance.
Genuineness of faith, more precious than gold.
Tested by fire, eternal weight of glory.
Crown of life.
When I am weak, He is strong.
Son of God who gave Himself.
Gave Himself for me.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ in me.
Everyone who calls on the Lord’s Name is saved.
Rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer.
Light and momentary affliction.
Lord of Lords, Prince of peace.
Vine and branch.
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
He transforms the stink of a skunk into an aroma that’s pleasing.
A sweet scented sacrifice.
Words of worship.
Fruit that nurtures and nourishes.
Gracious, grace giving words.
Words that encourage.
Words that build up, not tear down.
Apples of gold from a heart honoring the Lord.
Forgiving others as God in Christ forgave me.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
Melissa Henderson
January 11, 2019Words can build or tear down. I don’t want to be the skunk. 🙂 Good message.
Liz
January 11, 2019Hi Melissa! I don’t want to be a skunk either…only by His love and grace ❤️ thank you for reading and commenting
Beverly
January 11, 2019Powerfully worded and beautifully painted with words. The skunk imagine and the spray of words has left a visual impression on my mind. Perfect!
Liz
January 11, 2019Hi Beverly! Glory to God…thank you for reading and commenting – your encouragement sincerely means so much. ❤️ Blessings to you as we endeavor to yield and get rid of old ways that don’t serve. ❤️
Charla Matthews
January 11, 2019“Rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer”
This is nowhere near perfected in me, but oh how your statement resonated!
I am emerging from long season of God granting me the understanding of the fact that suffering is one way God receives glory; it is one channel of honor in the life of a believer.
When I suffer and stink no longer swirls from my lips, but humility and praise? That’s the power of God in a follower’s life.
Liz
January 11, 2019Hi Charla – I love everything about this comment…next heart level. Love your heart for Him sister – thank you for words to meditate on. You blessed me today! ❤️
sydell
January 11, 2019Powerful and uplifting message sister friend.I dont want to be a skunk and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. I choose to speak Life.You are the best sweet friend.Love you!
Liz
January 12, 2019Love you back sister friend – I don’t want to be a skunk either…when I bring those parts into His Healing light he transforms my stink into an aroma pleasing to Him. Thanks for linking arms as we journey together closer to Him. You bless me. ❤️❤️
Chip Mattis
January 13, 2019Good thoughts, Liz. Your writing is so refreshing and different. Thanks.
Regarding the first part, I’m similar. I’ve always said that it’s my mouth that will get me into trouble before my actions. I don’t know why that is, but at my heart, I know I stink. Thankfully God is merciful.
Liz
January 15, 2019Hi Chip! Thanks for your comments – I appreciate the feedback and words of encouragement. I’m like you, thankful God is merciful. Blessings friend as He uses our circumstances and situations to push the stink out of us. I’ve come to believe it’s all part of the Lord’s plan and process. ❤️
Yvonne Morgan
January 14, 2019Hi Liz. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on words. My husband just talked recently about the impact of our words. I pray for God to give me wisdom to use my words wisely
Liz
January 15, 2019Hi Yvonne! Yes…the Lord has also been showing me the power of words – in His Word He says they are life and death. And…God spoke the world into existence. I’m far too careless with my words. Thank you for reading and commenting – I also pray God helps me to use my words wisely. Blessings to you as you follow Jesus. ❤️