February 2

Written by Bill Grandi on February 2nd, 2023

Happy Groundhogs Day (for what it’s worth)!  I can never remember whether he is supposed to see his shadow or not and which one is good or not. Hmmmm. Guess all I can do is say, “Bring on Spring!”  The sooner the better.

Pushing that aside, let’s get serious for a moment.

Several years ago Lauren Daigle had a song which broke through hearts, even the coldest and hardest, and took the music industry by storm. (Here is that song). Every morning at 4:30, Tami’s alarm goes off with that song, so I heard it this morning as I was reading Matthew 12. In particular, I was reading verses 33-37. My focus was on the phrase “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Please read those verses for a better context).

The way we speak to ourselves comes out of what is in our heart!

The way to speak to others comes out of what is in our heart!

I’m not advocating the “positive speech” gibberish of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation cult, aka Bethel Redding, IHOP, and others). Nor am I advocating for the likes of Rachel Hollis, Jen Hatmaker, Glennon Doyle, Oprah, or others like them.  While I do believe it is important for us to remember who we are in Christ, I don’t subscribe to the heresy they espouse: we are good and have it within ourselves to improve.(They leave out the effects of sin and the inability we have of saving ourselves).

Lauren’s song says, “You say I am loved…” It is not what we say or think about ourselves, it is what God says to us and what He thinks about us that matters.

But let’s not forget that what we say to and about ourselves does matter. Constant put-downs destroy the inner peace and confidence God instills and gives us. The same goes for how we speak to each other. That which is inside us will come out and we can either say good or evil. They way we speak is a good indicator of WHO controls us. It is a good indicator of WHO or what controls our heart.

So…STOP…and ask yourself, “Who controls me?” And then take it one step further and ask, “What do my words say about my answer?”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    To be honest, I don’t follow the “positive speech” crowd in which you speak, so can’t really provide any thoughts on that at all.
    I will say that for some of the specific names you mention, I would not put much weight on anything they say.

    Having put that out there, in regards to how we view ourselves… I think it is important to be honest with ourselves. Allow God to reveal in us what needs changed, then adjust accordingly. I think it is important to block anything that contradicts how God would view His children. God would never call me a loser or use any hateful words toward me. He is my perfect father. His words would be encouraging, loving, sometimes correcting, but never hurtful or belittling. If those are the words that are in your head, stop listening to them. They are the lies from the enemy. If you are saying them about yourself, then you may be your enemy.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I totally agree with you Ryan. We do need to block anything that contradicts how God views us. In His eyes, there are no losers in any way, shape or form.

  2. Truly some food for thought here, Bill. Who controls us speaks volumes, doesn’t it?
    And by the way, the groundhog in PA predicts 6 more weeks of winter . . .
    Blessings!

  3. gail says:

    No one can love us as much as God does. We are in His thoughts and sights 24/7. We need to reflect that love out to others and ourselves. Our Father’s unending love for us, should also reflect back from us to Him.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I agree with you Gail and the last I looked there was no mirror to reflect ourselves. Our lives, as you put it, should reflect Him.

  4. Linda Stoll says:

    Fully appreciating and accepting who we are in Christ is one of life’s biggest graces and victories. Those who are able to do so have peace and joy that no one can take away.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Very true Linda. If followers of Christ could learn that our message would have so much more power and affect.