“When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.” ~Lewis Sperry Chafer
Several days ago, I came across this quote in my “Walking with God” daily devotional by David Jeremiah. As usual, I was flipping into the months ahead and found these words to be such a revelation as to what God is working in and through my life. An answered prayer by God in so many ways.
I mentioned in one of my last blog posts that I am doing a new 90-day bible study that requires praying in the Spirit for a minimum of an hour a day. In all honesty, I believe I will maintain this new way of praying even after this bible study is over. Every aspect of my relationship with God has changed.
One of the biggest things that has changed is in relation to words—what I hear, what I say, what I read, and how God wants me to respond.
Occasionally, I look at Facebook. I am rarely on it because there is so much negativity, but I do want to see what my family and friends have been up to.
But lately, so much of what I see are conspiracy theories, negative thoughts about the government from both sides, sad commentary about people who are ultimately trying to do their best, etc.
I came close to sharing my thoughts, but the Spirit put a check in my heart to stop. So, I did.
The next day, during my prayer time, I was sharing all my concerns with God. My heart is so unsettled with all the dissension that is going on around me. God is the only one that I knew would give me the peace and the wisdom to move forward with this.
That is when God answered my prayer with this quote. I immediately put it on Facebook because that is initially where all my anguish started. But God did not stop there, He revealed even more to my heart through the Spirit.
In reality, my thoughts and opinions do not matter. Not really. Especially when they are born from hurt, a need to make my own voice heard, jealousy, and any other emotion that my self creates in the flash of one moment.
But guess what? In that one moment, ALL of what God had been working in and through the hearts of all who read my words can be changed for a lifetime. That is why, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21.
I do not want my words to tear down what God has been doing or working through in someone else’s heart or life.
What if there is a new Christian reading my post or reply and God is bringing that person into revelation and a deeper relationship with Him. But because I only see on the outside what God is doing, I say something without thinking that damages and hurts them.
I could completely undo all the fruit and goodness that God is trying to reveal in that person’s life. How tragic that would be! And all because I failed to heed the Words God has given us to speak life to others and to love everyone.
I am so thankful to God for not only revealing this Truth once again to me but allowing the Holy Spirit to put that check in my heart to rest and wait on Him when speaking, especially with all matters closest to my heart.
All the glory to God,
Shanon
Jeremiah, David. “Lewis Sperry Chafer quote.” 365 Daily Devotions Walking with God. Page 260. Christian Art Gifts. 2019. Print.
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