Changed By The Word

K is for “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” (Psalm 34:13)

I’ve memorized more scripture with my children than I ever have alone. The K verse comes from Susan Hunt’s “My ABC Bible Verses- Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts.” One year while my three kids were still in elementary school, we practiced one verse each week from this book during our morning commute. By Friday, everyone could recite the verse and we’d go for a tiny treat; usually a kid-sized Frosty from Wendy’s.

Later, a youth pastor challenged my middle schoolers to learn a lengthy passage from Psalm 119. We practiced together until each of us could recite it, but by far my biggest challenge while homeschooling my youngest was learning the twenty-four verses of Psalm 139 by heart. At the time, I had no idea this particular chapter would carry me through a very scary season with this same child, but God knew I would need it. I’ve found comfort, guidance, peace, correction, endurance, hope and limitless love in the pages of God’s Word, the Holy Bible. Now more than ever, I rely on His Word.

The Psalmist claims, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalms 119:11, 103-105 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.103-105.NLT

As the amount of God’s Word stored up in my heart has grown, it begins to take up more room in my mind as well. Jesus, during his sermon on the Mount, went one step further by saying that even our words overflow from our hearts.

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Luke 6:45 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.45.NLT

My words are a good indicator of what resides in my heart. If Jesus dwells there by His Spirit, then I will exhibit the fruit of His Spirit in ever-increasing measure. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) The world surely needs more of Jesus in me! When the most accurate phrase used to describe our public dialog could be “heated debate,” we can look to Jesus’s hot-headed disciple, Peter, for some good tips on communication.

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.8-12.NLT

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.15-16.NLT

Work to maintain peace. Rather than exchanging curses, offer a blessing. Keep a humble attitude. Sympathize with each other. Love one another. These things did not come naturally for Peter. He was the first to draw a sword on the night of Jesus’s arrest, and he was the first to deny Christ. (John 18:10, Mark 14:71) He opposed Jesus washing his feet until Jesus said he would have no part with him unless he allowed it. (John 13:8) The callous fisherman called to be a fisher of men by the Savior was changed by the Living Word of God in only three years. I’ve had a personal relationship with Jesus for 41 years to date. How much change can the Word make over so much time? Plenty! Yet not nearly enough!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that You never give up on me. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. I praise You because You are the only One who is truly good, and You impute Your character to me by Your Spirit because I believe the gospel, the good news about my forgiveness and Your provision through Your Son, Jesus. Let Your Word go deep into my heart, permeate my thoughts and overflow in my speech. May the words that I say and the thoughts that I think be pleasing in Your sight, Lord. (Psalm 19:14) Bring Your peace, Your blessing, and Your love to the world through me. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.