1 TIMOTHY 4:12 AMP
Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.
One of the things that caught my attention in this verse of scriptures is Paul tells Timothy to be an example not to the world but to the believers. An example is a part of or a model of something to be emulated it is a part of something taken to show a character of the whole.
Basically Paul is telling Timothy to set the pace for the believers and I believe that applies to you and I today especially in a generation where compromise is the order of the day.
Timothy is to first be an example in speech. What we say is important because it reflects what is in our hearts.
Luke 6:45 AMP
45 The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.
Are you an example in speech?
Do you speak words of faith or fear?
With your words do you build others or destroy them?
Are you quick to speak truth or gossip?
The bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. You and I are to speak life and not death. Remember the 12 spies who were sent out to scout the land? 10 came with a negative report sowing fear into the hearts of the Israelites and that fear caused them to die in the wilderness and not to enter the Promised Land except the two who had a good faith filled report.
Matthew 12:36 | AMP
36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.
This has to be one of the scariest verses in the scriptures. God is taking stock of every word we speak and thus we have to watch what we say.
Ephesians 4:29 |AMP
29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
That should be the guiding scripture each time we open our mouth to speak and may our prayer be “Lord let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my strength and redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
