Saying the Right Thing

 

Sometimes it's just difficult to say the right thing. I was in upper elementary school when my grandmother died. I went with my Daddy to my grandparents' house the morning she died then afterwards we went to church. One of my friends said, "I'm so sorry that your grandmother died." My response was, "That's okay. It wasn't your fault." I'm still embarrassed by that. 

Last week I was talking to a woman who had one of the Wholehearted Bible study books. I said, "I pray that God will use it to speak to your heart." Then I thought that sounded like I was saying she was spiritually immature and needed God to "give her a talkin' to." Then today in a similar situation I said, "I hope you enjoy it." That's not right either. When we study the Bible, there should be conviction, and that's not enjoyable. Beneficial to be sure, but not enjoyable. One of the reviews of the study says, "...Prepare to be challenged, comforted, and renewed as you walk this path of spiritual growth." I like the way he said that. That's what I wanted to say both times, but it would sound a little different talking to someone casually than in a written review. So I still don't know what to say.

I have a phone interview later this week with the host of a literary website. This is a one-time chance to get my words right. 

What does scripture say about the words we say? Let's look. 

Matthew 10:19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.

When we are in difficult situations, when we don't know what to say, we don't have to worry about it. God's Spirit dwells in us. When we yield to His work in us, He will give us the words to say. 

1 Corinthians 1:4 I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that by Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge. 6 In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,

God enriches our speech and our knowledge so that our words are a testimony to others. That's my prayer every day, but especially in situations where I only get one chance to bring glory to God and speak the Truth of Jesus to those who may not know Him.

1 Corinthians 2: When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.

I don't have to be a gifted orator or a great theologian. In my weakness, in my stammering and saying things that I'm later embarrassed about, in my concern that I have offended someone or have not spoken words that are exactly what I had on my heart, God is there. His Spirit speaks to hearts about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, the burden of our sins that He carried for us, our just punishment that he bore. That's what matters. 

Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

We should be kind, show grace, speak lovingly, but we must also speak God's Truth. The words we say must point others to their need for Him, encourage other believers to grow closer to Him, and even warn others of a dangerous path they may be taking.