Letter From The Editor’s Desk! Mind Your Ps and Qs: Why Jesus Taught His Followers to Watch Their Words
Siting at my desk, I started thinking about seniors and how sometimes they can feel invisible. They are among our most vunerable population. I am a senior and realize everyone is in different situations but I think we all can agree, the older you get, the more the words hurt and the more nice words mean a lot. We become very very particular about our conversations and who we have conversations with.
I don’t know why. I’m not a psychiatrist but it brings me to my topic that we should “Mind Our Ps and Qs”:Choose our words carefully, and use them to make a positive impact on the world around us. All the time, not just sometimes. In addition, Why Jesus Taught His Followers to Watch Their Words
I thought of my cousin, named Sarah who lived in a nursing home. Her two adult children, Marthy and James, visited her every week. Martha was always affectionate and supportive, telling her mother how much she loved her and how proud she was of her. James, on the other hand, was often dismissive and impatient, complaining about how much time and effort it took to care for her.
One day, Sarah was feeling particularly down. She had been struggling with her health, and she felt like she was a burden to her children. She decided to talk to Martha about how she was feeling.
“Martha,” she said, “I’m so grateful for your love and support. But I’m worried about James. He doesn’t seem to care about me and I don’t know why. You two are all I have”
Martha’s heart sank. She knew that her mother was right. James had been struggling to cope with the stress of caring for her, and he had been taking it out on her.
Martha decided to talk to James about it. She told him how his words were hurting their mother, and that he needed to be more supportive. James was initially defensive, but he eventually admitted that he was wrong. He promised Martha that he would try to do better.
The next time James visited Sarah, he made an effort to be more affectionate and supportive. He told her how much he loved her, and he listened to her concerns. Sarah was so happy to see the change in him. She felt like she had her son back.
Sarah’s story is a reminder that our words can have a profound impact on others, especially those who are vulnerable. When we are kind and supportive, we can help to lift people up and make their lives better. But when we are hurtful and dismissive, we can cause them pain and damage their self-esteem.
Let’s choose our words carefully, and use them to make a positive impact on the world around us.
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The phrase “mind your Ps and Qs” is often used to tell someone to be careful about what they say, especially when they are in a formal setting. But the phrase has its roots in the Bible, where Jesus taught his followers to be mindful of their words. If a person speak hateful, gossipy and negative words, they will reap that. If a person speaks empowerment, inspiration, peace and the word of God, they will reap that. What you put out is what you will receve.
Proverbs 18:21 KJV “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “But I tell you that anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:22 KJV) He also says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36KJV)
Jesus’ warnings about the importance of our words are a reminder that our words have power. They can build up or tear down, they can encourage or discourage, and they can heal or hurt.
There are several reasons why Jesus taught his followers to watch their words.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
First, our words reflect our hearts. When we speak words of kindness, love, and forgiveness, we are revealing the good that is in our hearts. But when we speak words of anger, hatred, and judgment, we are revealing the darkness that is within us.
Matthew 15:18 KJV “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Second, our words have the power to create change. When we speak words of faith and hope, we can encourage others and help them to see the possibilities that lie ahead. But when we speak words of doubt and despair, we can discourage others and make it more difficult for them to overcome their challenges.
James 3:10 KJV “ 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Third, our words can have a lasting impact on others. The words that we speak can stay with people for years to come, shaping their thoughts and feelings about themselves and the world around them. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of the words that we choose.
Here are some tips for minding your Ps and Qs:
- Be aware of your tone of voice. Even if you are saying something nice, your tone of voice can make a big difference in how it is received.
- Think before you speak. Take a moment to consider the impact that your words might have on others.
- Be honest, but be kind. There is no need to be cruel or hurtful, even if you are being honest.
- Be forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes. If you say something that you regret, apologize and move on.
Jesus taught his followers to watch their words because he knew that our words have power. They can build up or tear down, they can encourage or discourage, and they can heal or hurt. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of the words that we choose.
Reflection questions: Have you spoken words that have hurt someone? Can you repent of them and ask God for forgiveness? If you can, apologize to that person. If you can’t, tell God about it. Please be sincere because God may give you a chance to ask that person for forgiveness .
Jeremiah 17:10 KJV “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
May the Truth and Grace of God Be With You,
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A CALL TO SALVATION:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9-10 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
John 3:5-6 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7
