Word and Deed

“Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:12-14 CSB)

Do you want to live a life that is personally fulfilling? Do you know anyone who doesn’t? That’s almost like asking someone if they want to breathe. Everyone wants a life of personal fulfillment and significance, and yet all too often such a life seems somewhat elusive to many. King David suggests two guiding principles that help.

First, watch what you say. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” In the New Testament, James writes, “And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. (James 3:4-5) The Hebrews saw words as almost living entities, having a life of their own. Their concept was that a word spoken could take on an almost living quality and have an impact on other people. A word once spoken could not be retrieved and put back in the mouth. Once spoken, it was too late. Words definitely have impact. For example, consider these words: “Stupid!,” “Idiot!,” “Worthless!,” “Ugly!” And consider these: “Beloved!,” “Friend!,” “Brother!,” and “Sister!” It is important to watch what we say and how we say it, that is, to think about what we are going to say and consider its consequences before we say it. Thoughtful communication is the best kind.

Second, watch what you do. “Actions speak louder than words,” we often say. Paul says, “Everything that is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) Faith is not just a belief system; it is a personal relationship with Jesus. Faith is walking with God. Those who walk with God “turn away from evil and do what is good.” They also “seek peace (shalom) and pursue it.” A life of personal fulfillment flows out of actions that purposely turn us away from evil and toward what is good. Thus, it is important to watch what we do, to be intentional in how we live.

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17 CSB)

Maybe a good goal for each of us today would be to watch what we say, and watch what we do. In that, may we each find personal fulfillment.

Father, Guide us today in our words and in our actions, that our lives may bring glory to You. Amen.