The One Minute Sermon. Words

Proverbs 18:21 (New King James Version)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

I have been on both sides of the wrong thing to say. I know most everyone reading this has. There is not a person I know that wants to say the wrong thing. It still happens all the time. There are forgotten lessons that we need to be reminded of annually.

1. Think before you speak.
This makes me nervous. Speaking is rhythmic and timely. If you miss your chance to speak you can't recapture the moment. However, what is the point if you say the wrong thing. Discipline is a temporary toil for a long term harvest. When you honor words, you will be honored by your words.

2. Be an encourager.
There are four types of people in the world. Adders, subtractors, multipliers and dividers. Your words reveal which one you are. Encourage someone everyday. I have fun with this. I have trigger moments that I will go out of my way to compliment someone on. IE: If I see anyone wearing Orange or Turquoise I will trip over myself to compliment them. Orange is an obvious reason (AHS) turquoise is a representation of my favorite state (N.M.). I am confident that my Lord purposely causes someone to put on an orange shirt or turquoise necklace just so I could encourage them. I have done it now for years and the stories are fun to tell. Airports, big cities, conferences, celebrities and regular Joe's God opens doors with the key of encouragement.

3. The art of apologizing.
You will never know what your words taste like until you have to chew on them.
Its not that bad, and it also gets easier after you get used to it. Before long you choose your words wisely. Because, being sensitive to the words your about to say is easier once you've apologized for them a few times. More blog to come on this subject "The forgotten Arts."