An economy of words

I was thinking the other morning about words--the kinds of words I use, the ways in which I use them, what God has to say about my words, how I save or spend them.

Is there an economy of words? Just because there's no limit of the words we speak, does that mean we shouldn't spend them wisely?

Over the last year, I've prayed a lot about God setting a guard over my lips, about my mouth being filled with his Word, about knowing the right word to say and the right time to say it.

Because we do spend words. We can waste them or invest them, but once they're spent, there's no getting them back. As much as we wish we could take back our words, we cannot.

The book of Psalms has a lot to say about the ways we use our mouths and the words we say. In fact, the Bible as a whole has a lot to say about our words. But I've been reading Psalm 89 this past week and it begins this way:

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; 
with my  mouth I will make you faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. (v1-2)

How am I spending my words? What am I singing about, using my mouth to make known, declaring?

Is it...

• arguing
• complaining
• worrying
• nagging
• gossip
• silliness
• lies?

Or am I using my words for...

• confession
• praise
• prayer
• encouragement
• testimony
• teaching
• instruction
• song 
• truth? 

I want the second list to be the one that's true of me, but all too often I'm singing the same old songs from the first list, rather than singing a new song. One of praise and adoration.

The truth is that we are not saved to simply sing that same old sad and sorry song. No! We have been chosen by God to sing a new song.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Are you singing the same old song? Isn't it time to "sing to the Lord a new song"?

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations, 
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary. (Psalm 96:1-6)

P.S. That last line just stood out to me. If I'm needing strength (and I sure do, don't you?), the place I need to be is in his sanctuary. No where else.

Comments

[Kate]

Oh Joanne...my NYR list was different this year because I am not up for a typical make and break resolution list. I wrote down things like guard the words of my mouth, and make time for daily positive confessions (and other positive biblical things that I generally struggle with).
I'm actually going to use the Psalm verses for my next memorization.
How great and refreshing this post was...you rock!

[Amber]

Man, God is really using you to speak to me on all these economy posts - and then this one - ughh (in a good way)! So good and so true. Thanks for being obedient in sharing these with us - they are really great!

[Becca]

Very good post!

[Becky Jo]

WOW!!! Good stuff! It kinda stings, but in a good way ... a good "2X4 to the head" kinda way!

[Linda]

Joanne,

I think this is a wonderful post--I wish everyone could read it and take it to heart this year! My husband pastors a small church (less than 50 people) and I would love to share it with them. Would that be possible?

Thank you for your blog. It's a great little place to get inspiration, encouragement and to get my head straight.

[Loney]

What a wonderful post. I am printing it out so I can always be reminded.

[missi]

I loved this post on the economy of words. I'm going to write your list of questions down to help me. Good luck with your test tomorrow. I'll say a prayer for you! Missi