Thursday, May 28, 2009

One Voice

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned." Proverbs 5:1-2

"...and your lips will express what you've learned." That phrase caught my attention this morning. So often my lips fail me. I've learned quite a lot over the past almost 47 years, yet the words that escape often times are not a reflection of wise learning. Some teachers have imparted lasting lessons that need to be embraced. Others, who I trusted, passed on knowledge and understanding that corroded my perceptions, damaging my thinking.

Careless, thoughtless, hurting, incorrect, idle words too often come flowing unbridled when wisdom is not heeded. Frequently my conscience gives the warning from the understanding imparted in my heart, yet I don't allow it to direct my path.

That's where wisdom comes in. The ability to discern the what, when, where, how and why of opening my mouth. Words based on fact, not feeling. Wisdom provides the skills to sift and place a guard on my lips. It's from the overflow in my heart that my mouth speaks. My word problem is a heart issue.

Lord, I pray for that discernment. Teach me discretion in what I hear, repeat and believe. May the voice I find, both spoken and written, be grounded in reality and actuality. May I accurately convey truth, without being swept up in a current of hearsay. Place a filter in my mind and on my heart to guard the thoughts that form the words that flow from my mouth. May any expression today be prompted by You alone. It's a choice to listen to wisdom's voice.



post signature

4 comments:

On Purpose said...

Can I just say...woo-hoo...for today I recieve a seriously HUGE revealation by reading this post...yes I sure did! And I will be dancing in the joy of it today. I have spent most of this last year praying, concentrating and working on a filter on my mouth...when today I hear Him saying...'daughter I want to place one on your mind and heart too!' I have struggled for the words to be His that come out of my mind...and I know He has placed a filter on my words...but I still slip through in my flesh...and yet today He says...'I want to go deeper with you Nichole, I want to give You more of me...more filters to filter your mind and your heart' More of Him!!! I will be praying this today. Thank You Lord for Joy...and her commitment to live out Your word everyday! Amen

Shanda said...

Joy,
Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
I appreciate your prayers very much.

I've read your comments on Lysa's blog many times and just want to encourage you that what you write is full of wisdom and obvious that you are an excellent student of the word of God.

Thanks again, and may you say "yes" to the wisdom of God today!!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I've had to watch my words very carefully in this time of exhaustion. When I get weary, not only do I get weepy, I'm all over the board as far as my mouth goes.

Hoping to sleep tonight.

peace~elaine

Unreasonable Grace said...

Oh, Joy...
Boy, do I ever know what you are talking about. I wish the Holy Spirit would kick me in the seat of the pants before I open my mouth. It sure would make me think more before opening up and letting it fly.
kim