In Psalm 139, the Psalmist speaks of the All-Knowing, Ever-Present God. In verse four, he writes something that should frighten most of us, especially women. He says, “Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord.” This means, that before our words make it from our brain to our mouth, God knows every last one we will speak.
God sees all, knows all, and hears all!
“God is limited by nothing. You cannot escape His presence. Everything you do is visible to Him; to hide from Him is impossible. That God is omnipotent means that He has all power to do whatever He pleases whenever He chooses. God is also omniscient–He knows everything. God knows every move you make; no action is hidden from Him. God knows His creation thoroughly, both good and bad, strengths and weaknesses. He knows intents and motives. The Lord’s knowledge of His children involves both objective truth and subjective relationship. He knows you better than you know yourself” (HCSB The Study Bible for Women, p 773).
Words are very important to God. He uses them to communicate with man. Noah was given a word on the devastation to come and instructions on how to build an ark. Abraham talked with God as a friend. It was God’s desire that the children of Israel speak the word of His story and faithfulness from one generation to another. On Mount Sinai, Moses received a word from God that He had chosen him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God sent His own Son, the Word that became flesh, to earth to tell the world about salvation. Jesus spoke the words the Father asked him to speak.
“Jesus was not only sinless in deed. He was sinless in word. ‘Nor was any deceit found in His mouth’ (1Peter 2:22). Even after careful scrutiny, Jesus’ accusers failed to uncover any craftiness or trickery. He had always spoken the truth. He had always spoken and acted with pure motives. Nothing of deceit or guile could be uncovered. When falsely accused by the chief priests and elders, ‘He made no answer’ (Matthew 27:12). Jesus refused to fight verbally or physically’” (Elizabeth George, A Woman’s Walk With God, p. 204).
There are at least six truths about Jesus and His words in the statement above.
- He was sinless in word.
- He always spoke the truth.
- He spoke with pure motives.
- He spoke without deceit (Dishonest behavior: behavior that is meant to fool or trick someone) or guile (the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something) in his words.
- He remained quiet–He did not defend himself.
- He refused to fight verbally.
Could these six truths be said of you?
- She was sinless in word.
- She always spoke the truth.
- She spoke with pure motives.
- She spoke without deceit (Dishonest behavior: behavior that is meant to fool or trick someone) or
- guile (the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something) in her words.
- She remained quiet–She did not defend herself.
- She refused to fight verbally.
Stop and pray, asking God to work in your heart and life in such a way that the six truths stated above would be said of you.
When it comes to your words, will you choose Christ-like habits? Will you develop good spiritual habit patterns?
Bridges says in, The Discipline of Grace, “The Bible was not given just to increase our knowledge but to guide our conduct” (p 187).
Words are powerful. They hold within them the ability to bring life or death to those around us. We will be accountable for each and every word we speak. People will know us through our spoken words.
“My mother was pretty smart when it came to the tongue. She sprinkled her daily conversation with wise sayings like “Keep your tongue between your teeth” and “Think twice before you think once.” My mother would also tell us, “Remember, one day you’ll answer to God for every word you say” (Leonard Ravenhill, Article: The Taming Tongue, http://ravenhill.org).
Every word we speak is a reflection of the person we are, the heart we possess, and the relationship we have with our Creator. We must consider our words carefully!
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37 ESV).
dianne