“The people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’” Exodus 17:2-3
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”‘ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” Genesis 3:1-5
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:2
These are days where opinions aren’t only passionately derived and tenaciously held, but vocalized as broadly and publicly as possible. We comment, we post, we elbow our way into conversation to make our voice heard. When led by the flesh, we can make all sorts of chaos and mayhem and distort truth. When we speak without a holy filter, our words can disparage others and dishonor our Maker. But a right view and love for God produces words that befit Him, whether toward others or Him directly.
What and whom do we ascribe with our words? They either honor the Lord or they do not. Language is important, and lofty language that reflects the Creator’s beauty and common grace is more appropriate than crass, coarse talk. The content of what we say also bears much weight in whether it glorifies God or not. He is truth, and therefore is honored when we speak truth, with no distortions. He is love, and therefore our words must never be empty, but laced with mercy and backed by love in action. When we speak out of impetuous anger, caustic criticism, puffed pride, or a negative outlook, we draw attention to ourselves, often shamefully. But when we are taken with the Lord’s infinite worth, and the immensity of His goodness toward us, we will ascribe to Him His due glory. (John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Ephesians 4:25,29; 1 John 3:18; 4:8)
How do we assure that our words align with scriptural truth so they can be used to build up others and magnify God’s greatness? What opinions and attitudes are best kept to ourselves, forever, rather than uttered to another’s hurt, or detriment of character or reputation? If it is our habit to whine, complain, fret, gossip, or curse, will we acknowledge and repent of the dishonor these bring to Christ’s purity and name, and praise Him instead? (Psalm 119:11)
Father, less of me, more of Thee. Captivate me with the splendor of Your holiness, that I may ascribe to You, with word and deed, the glory due You.
As the rain and snow 