We see riches and true wealth explained, as well as the call to discipline your children and many other truths in this chapter. I want to look at verse 3 concerning guarding your mouth. The old saying; “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”, is wrong. Words have the power to bring life and death to one’s soul and spirit, see Proverbs 18:21 and James 3:5-6. We need to guard what we say and speak life into people’s lives. The way we give correction can encourage one to go on or to live in defeat. Ministries can be stopped by simple words of death that side track glorious works for God’s kingdom. Bring life to someone today by speaking words of Christ and of hope. Bring life to the church by praising what God is doing and not what is wrong. There is more good God is doing than any of our little bumps and little detours that distract us from His grace and mission.
In business we are told that one negative review can cost you 30 customers, a study by Convergys found. Marketing Metrics tells us it is easier by 50% to retain a customer than to gain a new one. I say this because the church body at times forgets the value of us together as the body of Christ. We need to encourage one another and uplift one another and not be so negative when one does something a different way. We are all striving or should be, to do what is best for the church and for the glory of God. God gives us the power to speak life into someone’s life today. What an awesome ability to exercise.
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