Choosing to Speak Life

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 we read, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. In these verses we are told that we have a choice to make. I believe that this choice is one that is made daily. I fail all the time. Thank God for His grace. These verses show that life is a spiritual life that Jesus came to give us and death is a life without Him. As we work out our salvation, I want to take this verse one step further. Can this verse also be applied to the words we speak over our families? How often, because of annoyances, frustrations, anger, or disappointment, do we choose to speak words of death over our families and even over ourselves? When speaking to your family, choose words of life. The Bible is full of them. Instead of saying “You have such an anger problem,” how about telling them “I know you are working on having a calm spirit, how can I help you?” Here is a list of some more ways that contrast words of life and death. Choose Life!!!!

Pride Says: Look at what I am doing! At least I didn’t do what she did! I don’t need to say I am sorry to them – they are the ones that hurt me! Let me “one up” you on that!!

Humility Says: I esteem others higher than myself. (Phil. 2:3) I do not compare myself to others. (2Cor. 10:12) Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Fear Says: I need to take care of this situation now! Will these situations in my life ever get better? Haven’t you prayed enough? You lost!

Faith Says: God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) I walk by faith not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7)

Depression Says: You are worthless. Your life is so sad, look at your life compared to _______ life. Just don’t even bother to get out of bed today. Is what you are facing today really worth you leaving the house?

Joy Says: The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. (Prov. 15:13) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Anxiety/Worry Says: How am I ever going to get everything done? I am so overwhelmed right now. How are these bills going to get paid?

Peace Says: Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and petition present your requests before the Lord. (Phil. 4:6) Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about it’s own things. (Matt. 6:34)

The Past/ Guilt Says: Look what you did back in 20– or 19–! You are a horrible decision maker. Your past mistakes have messed it up for so many people. Don’t even bother to ask for forgiveness.

The Future/Conviction Says: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) There is no condemnation for those in Christ as long as we walk according to the spirit and not by the flesh. (Romans 8:1) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)

Division Says: Did you see how she just looked at you? Did you hear what she just said?

Unity Says: How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

Each day we have a choice. Let’s choose to speak life.