Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:1-6.
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:1-6.
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Today’s Scripture exhorts us to speak more carefully. “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Verse 6.
We are tempted to speak more quickly than we should.
“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Proverbs 23:9.
We are tempted to speak more words than we should.
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19.
“Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2.
We are tempted to speak harshly.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.” Proverbs 15:1-2.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29.
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. …
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” James 3:1-2 and 6-10.
But, there is hope!
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.
“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.” Psalm 37:20.
“20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.” Proverbs 10:20-21.
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from now and forever.” Isaiah 59:21.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18.
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” Romans 14:19.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 