BITING THE HAND OF GOD

My daughter and I were chatting about misunderstandings that can often occur between friends. I will never forget the time when I was a newcomer to a women’s event and mentioned to an acquaintance that I was familiar with where she lived in Dallas. 

“Oh, yes, I know that area. Isn’t it somewhere near Iroquois Street?” 

She gave me a shocked quizzical look and walked away. A moment later, she turned around and said, “Did you say, Idiot Street?” 

“No!!!” I said, “IR-O-QUOIS Street.” And we burst out laughing. 

I am so glad she turned around and was bold enough to ask if there was misunderstanding. Goodness, what would’ve happened if she had not??

The other day my daughter said, there was a bit of a misunderstanding between her and a friend. As her friend was sharing her perspective on what happened, my daughter was about to respond, when she said, “God put His hand over my mouth.” 

Hmmm…that set me to thinking. How many times has God tried to cover my mouth, but I bit His hand? 

I went home and began to think about the power of words. What does God say about our words? What does He say about His words? Does it really matter what words roll off my tongue?  

A few thoughts. 

Proverbs teaches that the tongue has the power of life and death, and states in Proverbs 18:21, that those who love it will eat its fruit. “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 Our words have the ability to build people up or tear them down. A word spoken at the right time is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11 They can give grace and encouragement. Words can make a person’s day!!! Or they can crush the human spirit. Jesus warns that we will give an account on judgement day for every careless word we speak, for words will either acquit or condemn us. Mt.12:36-37. 

Scripture also emphasizes that speech is a direct reflection of the heart, Jesus noting in Matthew 12:34 that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” We are also warned in Proverbs to carefully guard our hearts. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Last of all, we are to use self-restraint. We are to avoid foul or abusive language. When angry words fly, God encourages us to give a soft answer and not feed the fire. 

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

While human words have significant impact, God’s Word possesses ultimate creative and sustaining power. By the power of God’s Word, He created the universe and continues to sustain it. In Genesis 1 we read over and over again,  “And God said…and it was so.” He spoke the universe into existence by the power of His word! We are also told In Hebrews 1, that Jesus who is the radiance of God’s glory, and the exact imprint of His nature upholds (and sustains) the universe by the power of His Word.

I have often thought of the great blessings I would like to leave my children and children’s children. I don’t have much wealth to leave behind, but I can give my words. 

LORD, words are powerful, and they matter, keep me from biting Your Hand.