Real-Life Devotions by Lysa TerKeurstSýnishorn

Words

“Growth opportunity” is the phrase our family uses for a fight, and two of my children were experiencing a big opportunity to grow one day.

Hand on my hip, I preached to them: “Outside this house, people may or may not be kind. But inside this house, before you speak, you must ask yourself: ‘Are my words kind, necessary and true?’ If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes … proceed; but if the answer to any part of that question is no … remain silent. Does that mean we don’t address hard issues? No. But it will be done with respect and honesty.”

Then I ushered these precious teens outside, instructing them to figure out their issues together. Thank you very much. Have a nice time on this warm little bench on this warm little day.

After that particular growth opportunity, I considered writing some Bible verses on the palm of my hand. Think of how handy it would be to just flash my palm up with this verse in bold ink: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9–10).

Later, that same chapter of James reads, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (verse 16).

I do not want disorder and every evil practice in my home. And if envy and selfish ambition (which are where ugly words come from) are the keys that open the door to that evil mess, then I will do everything to tame tongues, including my own, in my home.

By Lysa TerKeurst