Powerful words

**The following post written on Mar 14 2009 at 12:48PM**

Dear all,

To those of us who are happily on spring break - Happy Spring Break! :)

Just this past Thursday night, my small group's core group had a meeting at Xiaohu and Xinlei's place. During the meeting, I realized the constant battle I had with myself on word choices and the attitude I say stuff with. Since I'm closer to Jason and more comfortable around him, it is significantly harder to give him full respect sometimes. (He is our small group's leader)

Also, not too long ago, I was discussing creation and evolution with one of my housemates. I was disturbed when I finally realized my prideful, self-righteous attitude that was carried out in my words.

During the Singspiration yesterday (a praise and worship time), I felt rebuked and ashamed of myself when a verse sang,

"Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely"
Psalms 139:4

It just scares me sometimes to think that God knows everything about me, including all the faults I’ve done against Him. I truly wonder how God, a sinless and holy God, can still stand and Love me after all of my wrongdoings against Him just with my words alone. It is a miracle by itself that I'm still alive under the protection of God, who hates sin so much that Jesus, the sinless Lamb, had to personally come down to the lowly earth and die for sinners' sins.

Words are powerful. They can easily encourage someone, and they can easily become the root of hatred. I pray that God has mercy on me and reduce the damages that I may have caused, that I won’t become a spiritual stumbling block to people around me.

"No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
James 3:8-10

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 13:3

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!”
Proverbs 15:23

Praise the Lord, always. Keep the tongue under control, for we were made in His image, and He is holy.

Love,
Anna