Words matter (3)

'That's not good enough', 'Hurry up!', 'You're lazy', 'Don't be stupid'... These words are used often in the world around us. They're words that talk at us, not to us, and they demand from us. The world is full of ungracious talk, and we use it on each other, usually unthinkingly.

The way we talk to people makes all the difference. The effort we make and the language we use are essential parts of demonstrating God's love to others. God tasks us with being gracious with our words. 'Graciousness' is giving more of ourselves to others than we need to - it's paying attention to people and attributing them with worth, especially when we don't have to. When we expect to be treated unkindly, kind words can change our world.

Graciousness in conversation is a given as a follower of Jesus. It means changing the focus of our words from ourselves to others. It's the difference between casually nodding when people hold a door open for us, or looking them in the eye and saying, 'Thanks so much!' It's asking the supermarket worker how their day is going. It's telling our children how much we love them, even after they've messed up. It's saying, 'How can I help you?', instead of 'What do you want!?'



So what now? Try switching most of the 'I's' in your conversations to 'You's' - it says to the other person, 'I see you, I know you're there, and you're worth my attention and time.'





— SCRIPTURE —

'Let your conversation be gracious and attractive.' Colossians 4:6 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

Josh 11-13, John 15:5-17, Ps 14, Pro 28:13-16