Personal Inventory....MY WORDS

So often we are challenged by people whose words become a divisive and destructive force against the very thing we have worked so hard to give birth to. However, how often do we take inventory of OUR words, you know The things we say and sometimes talk about in the name of ministry..wink, wink. Just a few thoughts about our words...

1. Your words are directional

James 3:3,4
We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in his mouth. 4 And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong.

2. Your words are destructive
James 3:5-6 (The Living Bible)
So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body. And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.
Proverbs 21:23(NLT) If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.

3. Your words reveal your character
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Matthew 12:34
You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For a man's heart determines his speech

How to Leverage Your Words (Webster *Leverage = POWER, EFFECTIVENESS)

1. Guard your thoughts
Mark 7:15 (TLB)
Your souls aren’t harmed by what you eat, but by what you think and say.

Psalm 19:14
May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.


2. Get A Fresh Start
Ezekiel 18:31(NIV) Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.
Psalm 51:10 (TLB) Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.

3. Think before you speak
James 1:19 (TLB)
Dear brothers, don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry;

4. Listen more than you talk
Proverbs 18:13(Message)
Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.

5. Ask God for help daily
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Just doing some personally inventory and thought I would share.
ANY THOUGHTS?