Tag: psalms

Aligning Our Practice and Praise with the Words of Our Mouths

Practice our praise with the words of our mouths!

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

Illustrations by Joshua Wichterich

For several months now, the Lord has been urging me to pay close attention to what comes out of my mouth. Even in my writing, this theme keeps surfacing. The new children’s book I’m working on, The First Grade Chatterbox, is about a mouthy first grader named Charlie. He wears a box on his head because he hasn’t learned to listen. During a school project, Charlie blurts out something awful—he yells at his best friend, “I HATE YOU!” Those words send him to the principal’s office and cost him his friendships. His careless words hurt the very people he actually loved.

Chatterbox Charlie blurts out hurtful words to Ben!

This story reflects a deeper truth: our words have power. The Bible reminds us that “the power of life and death are in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words can build up or destroy, heal or wound, invite life or death into relationships. As followers of Jesus, we often preach that truth, but do we practice it? Do our daily conversations reflect our praise?

Sometimes, like Charlie, our words don’t match what’s in our hearts. Other times, our words reveal exactly what’s inside—and it isn’t good. When we gossip, lash out, slander, or tear down others in the Body of Christ, we aren’t living out the Great Commission, nor are we worshipping in Spirit and in truth. Others can see the lack of fruit and may conclude our words reflect a lack of grace in our lives.

Chatterbox feels conviction for the words he said.

But the gospel—and Jesus’ sacrifice of grace—calls us to something greater. Our lives and our words should reflect His life in us. So today, I’m asking myself—and I invite you to ask yourself as well:

  • Do my words express praise to God, not just in worship, but in my conversations, prayers, relationships, and interactions?
  • Are my words pointing others toward Jesus or pushing them away?
  • Have my words wounded my fellow believers, my children, my family, or my friends?
  • Do my words build up, or do they tear down?

Like my little character Charlie, I need to learn to listen more and speak with intention. By the end of his story, Charlie learns that his words can harm or build, and he chooses to be someone whose words bring life. The box comes off his head because his identity is no longer tied to being a chatterbox or a class clown, but to using his words wisely.

Lord, help me learn Charlie’s lesson. Renew my mind, align my heart with Your truth, and make my words a reflection of my praise to You. I talk too much. I overthink. I overanalyze others’ words. Yet I long for my mouth to speak life—words of love, grace, encouragement, and worship. Help my words bring You honor and draw others closer to Jesus. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my Lord and my Savior (Psalm 19:14).

Scripture Study

Spend time meditating on these verses about the words we speak:

  • Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
  • Psalm 71:8 – “My mouth shall be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.”
  • Psalm 63:3-5 – “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee… my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”
  • Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
  • Romans 10:9 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… thou shalt be saved.”

Ask yourself:
How can I intentionally let my words reflect God’s grace and praise today?

Challenge for the Week

Each day, speak three praises aloud: one to God, one to someone you love, and one to yourself (declaring God’s truth over your life).
And before bed, ask: Did my words today build up or tear down?

Prayer

Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight (Psalm 19:14). Help me to speak life, not death; to build up, not tear down; and to let my words reflect the praise that belongs to You alone. Teach me to listen, to pause, and to honor You with every word that leaves my lips. Amen.

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