“The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.” (Proverbs 10:8)
Over fifty percent of Canadians use a water filter to keep impurities and dangerous chemicals from entering their drinking water. This filter helps ensure their flowing water does not contain hazardous elements which can cause harm to the person drinking it. During COVID-19, we became accustomed to wearing masks, another kind of filter to help keep people safe.
It would be helpful to have a filter to stop hurtful words from being spoken and harming others. A filter to help prevent comments from being said that should not be - words which have impurities and dangerous consequences cannot be taken back.
Last week we were reminded God tells us in Psalm 141:3 to set a guard over our mouths and keep watch over the door of our lips. This is not always easy, especially when we are tired, stressed, irritated, or angry. We need a filter to screen out those words, and the Lord gives us two other guards that help to do this.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
“A wise man's heart guides his mouth.” (Proverbs 16:23)
“Keep my commands, and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.” (Proverbs 7:2)
God tells us that everything we do (and say) comes from the heart, and we need to guard it. He also tells us how keeping His commands is this guard.
Knowing His commands and storing them in our hearts is our spiritual filter to avoid harm.
This past week, a person we recently hired informed us she was taking another job, as it offered a full-time position. I was disappointed, and I knew she felt sorry for disappointing us. I wanted to show support for her as well as be careful with the words I spoke. The verse I used to filter this conversation was Luke 6:31 "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In other words, treat others the way you would like to be treated. God blessed that conversation as she wanted to continue working with us on a part-time basis. So she would be able to fill the hours we badly needed covered. The conversation was a pleasure as it was collaborative, supportive, and successful. Having chosen a Bible verse as a filter kept this conversation grounded and flowing in a healthy manner.
Are you anticipating any difficult conversations at work this week? Choose a Bible verse to use as a filter for your thoughts and words. Do you want to be known as a person who speaks wisely, professionally, and productively? Continually read, study, and store God's teachings in your heart. Then you will be much likelier to have words which give healthy instruction to others!
Bringing This to God in Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which brings wisdom and instruction to everything we need to do and say. Lord, help me guard my heart by filling it with Your Word so the words flowing from my mouth will honor You and bless others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.