LOVING ONE ANOTHER WITH WORDS

 Loving One Another With Words

By Pastor Mark Taylor

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue"

Proverbs 18:21

It doesn’t matter what age group you are in, the impact of words can tear down or build up the person who uses them and the person who hears them    A study by the University of Maryland found that women speak about 20,000 words per day and men average 7,000 per day. Today, my sermon will have about 1500 words in it.  The point is not how much we say, but how many are words of love or encouragement.

I am not going to spend much time on negative and offensive language.  The Bible along with most research shows that being under it's influence  causes physical, mental, social, and spiritual problems.  This includes complaining, moaning, whining, and hurtful language.  Most of have been hurt by negative words by parents, teachers or friends.

1.  The words we use are stored in the heart and mind, and when we “speak our mind”, it is the overflow of what is stored in our hearts.  We need to be careful what we put in our minds and hearts.  Our Lord said: "A good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil person out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45).

While our Lord walked this Earth He used His words to heal people and encourage His friends and followers.  How will You use your words?  Our Lord's Words were used to help and encourage those who loved Him.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Some people feel loved when they hear words of encouragement.  You can tell if this is a person's "Love Language" by listening how they speak to others.  If they are generous with their words of praise and encouragement to others, then they usually feel loved when others speak to them in this language.  But even if it is not their primary "Love Language", everyone feels loved when others praise or recognize their worth and value through words. 

2.  If you want to demonstrate your love to others, this is one of the most effective ways to do it.  Many people will go through a whole day at work, school, or home without anyone giving them one compliment or word of encouragement.  One way to show love through encouraging words is to 

Practice this love language of encouraging words to the waitress that serves you your meal, to the cashier who rings up your groceries and puts them in a bag for you, and to your husband, wife and children when they do an act of kindness to you.  At least you can say "Thank You".  But you can go beyond that and compliment them on the good job they have done in serving you.  

One of the most powerful human relations skills is learning how to encourage other people.  Look for, and find the good in people, and then tell them what you found.  Find reasons for praise and applause.  Support others by reinforcing what they do well.  Sincere praise brings out the best in us.  God the Father uses encouraging words: “Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11).

3.  Words like many other things we do are choices.  We can look for the good in others and in every situation.  We can choose to use good words to.  If you take the time to think before you speak you can be an encourager instead of a complainer or a carrier of bad words.  Look for the good instead of the bad, the right instead of the wrong,

  We are just as free to choose positive and encouraging things to say as we are to complain.  People need to feel loved.  They need to be made to feel that their lives matter and that they are important.  

4.  Below are some ways to love one another and love God with words:

Give encouragement; Express thanks; Acknowledge others; Give a compliment;

Congratulate those you love; Offer words of comfort; make others laugh; communicate your love in words; let others know you are praying for them.

Catch your children or grandchildren doing something good and compliment them on how good they did instead of being critical about the things they didn't do, or didn't do up to your expectations.  A positive verbal environment is one in which children feel valued . It fosters in them positive feelings and beliefs about themselves and others.    

Write a note or send a text to your Pastor. (Don't wait until Pastor's appreciation month), Sunday School teacher, or spiritual mentor and thank them for sharing God's precious Word with you. Tell your wife or husband how much you appreciate something they have done for you. The more you use this "Love Language", the easier it will be to speak it.

4.  Let’s not forget the first commandment: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  We are created in God’s image, and He desires that we show our love for Him.  One of those ways is “words of praise”.  “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107:8).  

 He does desire our words of thanks, praise, and acknowledgement.  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalms 136:1).

The most important thing you can do this week is to tell your Heavenly Father how much you love Him and appreciate the things He is doing for you.  Tell Him you appreciate Him sending His Son, the Lord Jesus to die for your sins and bringing you into a relationship with Him.

This “love language” is not just a suggestion for being a better person, it is a command from God.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8). 

5.  This week's homework is to practice using Words of Affirmation (encouragement), to show your love to your husband, wife, parents, children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and especially to your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Send a text, e-mail, or written note each day of this week  of encouragement  to someone.  At the end of the year you will have encouraged people at least 365 times.

Tell someone how much you appreciate them when they do something good for you - not just thank you, but thank you for .......

Practice giving compliments to others.

Ask the Lord Jesus today to give you more love for people.  Now you know one way to show love.  In the next message you will learn another way to show your love to God and to each other.  You will learn about showing your love with the “love language” of quality time.  

Remember, our Lord said:  "Give, and it will be given to you.."  Luke 6:38

Give forgiveness, and you will receive forgiveness.

Give love, and others will give you love.

Give words of encouragement, and others will give them to you.