6 May, 2008

Jason's story...

This week the DailyBide continues its focus on interpersonal relationships. What is more important than improving your relationship with the people who mean the most to you?

...Jack Crabtree

Watch Your Mouth

Jason doesn’t go to church anymore. He used to, but a series of nasty messages posted on My Space by some students from his youth group changed his mind about church. The messages mocked and ridiculed how Jason looked and talked. When the messages became the talk of the school other students joined in taunting Jason every day with the same ugly words that were used on My Space. Jason was hurt and bitter. The people he thought were his friends and fellow Christians had viciously attacked him. The youth group leader confronted the students who wrote the messages about Jason. They apologized and said it was all a joke but Jason never came back to church.

photo courtesy ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

What does today’s God’s Story scripture teach us about what we say to and about other people?

Our words have incredible power. The Bible tells us they can hurt or heal. Our words influence the beliefs and actions of people who hear them. The targets of our negative words can become depressed or angry or worse. Many young people build their self esteem on the verbal feedback they get from their peers.

Negative (unwholesome) words do hurt. The Bible describes negative words as arrows, darts, daggers and swords. They cut; they wound; they destroy. They divide families, destroy friendships and ruin reputations. If we are careless about the negative words we use we are responsible for how they damage the people who hear them. King David wrote: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3) Watch what comes out of your mouth.

Today’s scripture verse also emphasizes the power of positive words. It tells us to make thoughtful decisions every day to only say what is positive and helpful to others. Replace the flow of negative, hurtful words with kind, strong words that build up others.

How can we connect my story to God’s Story scripture?

  • As you abide in Christ today, ask him to help you examine your words and choose new words that Jesus would say to people.
  • Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is truthful, helpful, encouraging and something you would want others to say to you?
  • Refuse to join in with people when they are gossiping and making fun of other people.
  • On important matters don’t blurt out the first thought than comes into your mind. Take time to pray about it and consider carefully what you should say about it.
  • In choosing your words every day, take into account the effect those words will have on others. Will your words make someone feel better or worse about themselves?

How can we connect today’s story and God’s Story and our story to their story?

  • Most of our friends live in a cruel, critical world where words are used as weapons of mass destruction. Imagine how Jesus will shine through your life if you use your words to build up the weak, heal the wounded and give hope to everyone who is struggling.
  • If you have said bad words to people or about people, go to them, ask for forgiveness and talk to them about how you want to build them up, not tear them down.
  • When you hear people verbally attacking someone, speak up and say positive words about the person being attacked. Go to the person who is being attacked and speak words of hope and love from God to them.
  • When you speak words of life, people will want to talk to you. They will want to know why you are different. You have a great opportunity to tell God’s story.
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.