Gracious Words

Several passages of Scripture have been in my meditation the
last few weeks.*

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man
brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men
will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they
have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you
will be condemned” (Matthew 12:34b-37).

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

During the last few months,* I have been conscious that my
words have not been always gracious. Apparently, my heart has not been stored
with good things, or the overflow would have been gracious words. I have
confessed and now want to store my heart so full of good that the overflow will
be always good.

*Written November 1988.

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