Join us for Day 11 of Soul Detox and then join us for discussion and community in the comments below!
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44 thoughts on "Day 11"
Day 11
Leave a Reply
44 thoughts on "Day 11"
I've realized that the reason it's so easy for me to fall into the trap of sin is because my heart isn't guarded. In a sermon I've heard recently, the pastor shared that we need to Guard Our Hearts agains evil, equipping ourselves with the truth of the Lord. In that exact moment when trouble hits, if we need to stop and think about how we should react, we are already too late. It goes far beyond just knowing, we need to accept His love and truths in our hearts if we are to win this spiritual battle. I know for me personally, if I know it's the right thing to do, I'll do it. That does not take away from the fact that I'm hurting inside and I'm using all my strength to hold it in because it's the "right things to do." Harboring everything inside also isn't the answer.
Please check out my blog to read more of my insight on today's devotion. Thank you!
http://www.thehumbledbeginnings.blogspot.com
I am participating in Soul Detox – just a week behind…..
and I am loving it!
This is the best cleanse I have had in a while! Thank you
I don't know why, but I've always had a very hard time with jealousy. It is awful. Trust me, I know. Why do I seem to have so much? Perhaps I have cultivated and sowed it, allowing it to dwell in me building bigger each time…
I need to be happy for successful, talented people. I would want them to be happy for me and not feel the gross feeling of jealousy. Keep it simple, learned it in kindergarten –> the golden rule. How beautiful life is when we hold fast to God's word.
Praying for you all! Is there a Facebook group for this? :)
“The heart is desperately wicked who can know it”
“We are made a new creation through Christ”
Hallelujah
One area not yet mentioned in the comments is that we often speak toxic messages to ourselves
In our mind and these word can defeat us. We allow these negative thoughts to stop us for stepping out in faith to be obedient to a task God wants us to do for Him.
I've struggled with some toxic words today so this passage came at a great time and as a great reminder. I think for me I tend to speak toxic words when I'm frustrated, upset or hurt about something. I work in IT and for the most part that's the "it's broke and I need you to fix it department" we get all the complaints about this computer not working or that printer is junk. Sometimes at the end of the day, or first thing in the morning, I want to yell at someone out of frustration. Mostly I vent it to co-workers but it's still toxic. And if someone that I was venting about ever heard me I'd be so ashamed. I never would intentionally hurt someones feelings. In those times it is hard to find the good in the situation, like I"m lucky to have a job. Finding a better way to deal with frustrations for me is a way to curb my toxic talk. Reflecting back on the scripture is a better way.
Crystal, I wish I could contact you personally. You can e-mail me if you are willing at [email protected]. I so get what you're saying here. See, I work in tech support, which is somewhat similar. I work for a company, as I am totally blind, that makes products for blind people, used to read the computer screen with speech, etc. so that's what I get all day. people having issues with their computers or the programs we develop. Half the time, it's not our programs but they think it is. I think in the high-tech field we work in, it is rare for a woman to work in this field, and so the comraderie would be wonderful, not to mention a Christian sister as well. i work in an office full of men. there are 2 other women that work with me, but they work out in the field, from their homes, not in the office like I do. sometimes, also, I feel insecure if I don't have a ready solution to the problem someone is calling about too and then I get down on myself–more toxic thoughts. Again, I would so love to talk to you more on these things! I hope you are willing. if not, I understand.
Nicki
Ladies, you all are so right! Whydo I allow toxic words to flow from my mouth? Because on some deeper level I (wrongly) feel that I’m on a higher level than the other — judgemental! And Lord, please forgive me on this.
This brought to mind an incident in my life. I wanted to start a woman’s prayer group, and even went online to see if there was any useful info. At one site, it was highly emphasized not to allow it to become a Women’s Judgement and gossip group! I had to laugh out loud, because I could see how this could happen. We, under the guise of Christianity, so often become “holier and mightier”than our neighbor, and what kind of testimony is that?!
Ladies, my prayet is for the true character of Christ be reflected in everything we do. Amen.
Sue, that's why I think I often speak toxic words about others. I somehow think that I'm better than them. I'm not, and thank the Lord for his grace, mercy and forgiveness!
Verse 9 really popped out at me today. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in his image. (NLT). It really convicted me. How on earth do I think it's ok to being singing his praises on minute, and complaining or gossiping about someone he created the next? Why would I think that a loving God would be ok with that?
these two verses really spoke to me today:
17 "but the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." (NIV)
this is what I want to strive for.
to answer the question posed in the devotional, I think we tend to say toxic words more often because these thoughts enter our minds and we just let them spew out of our mouths before thinking. I know I have done that.
I have found this passage humbling for me. It, like a mirror, shows me that I have got some pride issues to work on in my heart. I think I am quick to say toxic words because I want to be better than others. I want to "defend" myself. And I want to, essentially, cut the other person down before they have a chance to do it to me! (I sound like a really nice person right now.) Perhaps I use my toxic words to show I am someone not to be reckoned with. Clearly this is not the way God wants me to do it.
In the NIV version of the last part of the passage I noticed the word 'submissive.' I have generally hated that word because it makes me think of weakness and being controlled. But, perhaps submittingyou toxic thoughts and words to God is really an act of strength…
I think often we speak toxic words as a defense mechanism. I'm praying that all of my words are from God today especially as I go into a difficult situation.
Absolutely! I was thinking the same thing! It is like I am trying to shift negativity onto someone else – deflect it from myself. It sounds like, though, the better way to deflect that negativity is to humble myself and speak words that are life-giving.
Girls, I encourage you to listen to Toby Mac´s words in his song ´Speak Life´. I think they match perfectly with our current plan.
I leave you a part of the song which I love: Lift your head a little higher, spread the love like fire. Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say.
PEACE.
I am listening to the song now. Great song!
Oops! Hit publish before I could say Thank you for all your posts ladies! It truly makes me happy to be in fellowship with all of you! Every single one of you has something important to say, and all of us respond to each other in different ways. You never know who you may touch…
Have a blessed day Sisters! :)
Words. So simple, so complex. So easy to wound with words! Why, oh WHY would I also wound or hurt someone with my words, when I have been on the receiving end of such hurt?? I’d like to think I would be more aware of not doing so after years of learning the pain words can inflict but as we all know, our best intentions often fall short. I think I DON’T THINK when I say something toxic- it just comes blurting out! That quick, snap judgement I’m thinking in my head will fly out in some shrewish cynical comment that I’d gladly stuff back down my throat if I could!! Because I REALLY do not like being hurtful. Especially now that I’ve broken the bonds of such verbal abuse, why would I want to inflict that on someone else??
I know that I need God’s help. To use His word to use my words as He intended! To soak myself in His word. Because His word makes me feel better. And when I feel better, I am lighter and happier, more joyful and I want those around me to be joyful too! That old saying “what goes around, comes around” is good way to put it for me-
and what goes around can be either positive or negative. If all you’re hearing is negative, you’ll be negative to others. If what you’re hearing is positive, you’ll be positive! You want to build up those around you- not tear them down.
For such a little part, the tongue sure can cause BIG problems!! Lies, toxic gossip, and like verse 10: “out of the same mouth come praise and cursing”. Cursing. Whether cursing as in swearing or cursing as in generational curses inflicted on families, none of it amounts to any good!
I know that with God’s help, and stopping to count a few seconds BEFORE I blurt out (intentionally or not, some toxic comment will help me to be more aware of what I’m saying.
i agree with amie whole-heartedly and have seen in my own life over & over, that often times i bond with others by banding together against some we see as bad. it's the easy way out.
this passage brings importance to our lives as Christians; we are teaching a world about following Christ and by doing so, our words (and actions) are judged in a stricter manner.
guard your tongue, women of Christ; use your mouth to bring wisdom.
I've always "hated" this passage. In my younger days I had to memorize this chapter for school or church. It was all so convicting because whenever I got into trouble at home, at school or at church it was because of my mouth. I liked to talk. A lot.
Then after my degree when I got my first teaching job, verse 1 would frequently sneak up & remind me of so much of what I was accountable for to my students.
And now, the place my tongue gets me in the most trouble? The car. Driving my sons to school. I yell at other (stupid!) drivers. A lot.
I so appreciate your honesty! It made me giggle because I SO relate! I have all kinds of "wonderful" things to say in the morning to my fellow California drivers!
Why do I speak more toxic words than life-giving words even when we don't intend to?
I can not do good without Christ. I am sinnful but God has called me out of my sin and has called me to repent and bow down to HIM. AMEN! Thank you Lord for being a merciful God, a loving God.Thank you for pulling me into your chest and showing me the way to your truth.- I am also Thankful I serve a sovereign God. For HE knows the truth and the way, for HE is good. …I can not say enough how much this devotion is blessing my soul.
My sister encouraged me to do this and being in the word every morning is changing my LIFE! God is at work in all of us and it is so great to be able to read each of your posts and see the work God is doing. Bless all of you today!
Why do I speak more toxic words than life-giving words even when I don't intend to?* Sorry ladies I should really proof read my post. :)
I loved when you said "I can not do good without Christ." It made me think of the title to a movie "I can do bad all by myself." Yes, it is learning where my strength ends and his begins.
My baby boy loves when his daddy sings "Jesus loves me"…Today that song came to mind and I thought how simple…"we are weak but he is strong.." I am weak and allow toxic words to spew from my mouth. BUT The Lord TODAY has allowed opportunity for me to change that with His help. …Still learning too where my strength ends and his begins. Today I am in awe with the realization that WE ARE NOT ALONE! I really truly cannot do good without Christ. plan and simple. …Thank you for sharing your sweet words with me. Praying for you today sister. :)
Why do I think we tend to speak more toxic words than life-giving words even when we don't intend to?
Because we are sinful! Yes, we have been saved from that and should no longer be a slave of sin but a bondservant to Christ, but it is still in our nature. Sin is default. I actually think I intend to speak toxic words rather than "not intend to." Something somewhere in my heart wants to say those toxic things. I want that release, that feeling of revenge or fighting back, to put someone in their place, to put someone down because they "deserve it" or to get a response from them. None of that is true, right or good, though.
What a good reminder this morning to watch what I say and do, because I praise God with the same tongue, and I don't want to be double minded. I defile myself before God when I do the opposite of His will. Praying that we can all practice speaking life-giving wors to others to day, and being a blessing to others.
The book of James is one of my favourite in the New Testament. I come back to this book time and time again for its practical teaching – it is always so relevant and helpful in almost every situation I face. The thing that gets me is the thing about clean water and dirty water and how the tongue can not be tamed by the flesh; it cannot be tamed in our own strength. Only God can help us get rid of the toxicity. It's easier to speak toxic words, because the flesh is generally negative. It takes work to "go against the grain", so to speak, and speak in line with God's word, speaking in faith instead of doubt, speaking in hope instead of negativty. Oh, but our merciful and powerful God is so wonderful, and is our very present help. His grace abounds to help us overcome every evil tendence to speak contrarily.
Father God, help us to continually – moment by waking moment – to receive the grace you so lavishly give. Create in us clean hearts, as the Psalmist prayed, and renew right spirits in us, and help us HOLD FAST to your Word (feeding on it and allowing it to take root in us), so that out of the abundance of our hearts we will speak Truth – we will speak the truth in love (we will speak light and love and healing in Your Name), as Word tells us to, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. We know we can't do it in our own strength, Father. We lean on You. Help us, O God! We look to You and continue to thank You for the good work you are doing in us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Such comfort knowing all of you feel and are moved by Our God. What a blessing and encouragement to see the body work. Imagine if we did rocknitat said and instead of slandering and speaking with toxicity we got quiet! We prayed! That when when we are in the presence of Christian friends (and dare I say our non Christian friends) and gossip is brewing that one of us stopped it right there with prayer.
It's the most powerful weapon we have, our own personal line to The Father. I think to often we put contraints on God. We don't truly trust that He will deliver us, therefore we aren't always running to Him and then the negativity has room to seep in our lives and to grow.
The question I asked myself this morning was, have I truly hidden His word in my heart? Psalm 119:11 says that if we hide the word in our hearts we will not sin against our Father. Did you hear that? Because I know I certainly fall overwhelmingly short. Do I know The Word which utters all the life-giving words I will ever need? Have I hidden it, rooted it deep in my heart that in times of temptation I may fight back with the sword of truth? I think it's time I start.
I love this message today! It is easy to get frustrated and miss the beauty of today. I totally agree that negativity brings more of itself and takes our hearts captive. Today Joyce Meyer had a great and relevant teaching for us ladies. She said that with the darkness in our world getting darker, we as the light have be that much lighter. This detox will help us go there together!
Great devo this morning! I love being challenged to think about what I've just read in Gods word and this one is truly a day for thought!
I definitely agree that it's so easy to chime in with the negative(toxic) rather than take a positive route, so I pray the Lord will guide my words and thoughts today.
Very convicting scripture & devotional this morning! But thank God! He’s begun a good work in me & will bring it to completion. I just need to cooperate and get in the Word more regularly to continue the renewing of my mind. Blessings to all you ladies today!
Such a good reminder this morning! Another verse I came across this morning that really speaks to this idea: Let everything you say be good & helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Eph. 4:29 NLT)
I love that mind-altering verse from Ephesians. It reminds me of what my wonderful mother told me as a child, "if you have nothing good to say about or to someone, then just say nothing." Still good advice.
I'm guilty too Courtney. I am praying to day that my thoughts & words are life-giving and positive.
Wow!! What a constant reminder that the same tounge we praise Him with, is the same tounge we use to slander and judge others… hate to say it but I'm guilty! Thank you Lord for reminding us to use positive, encouraging words rather than toxic words.
Amie I certaintly agrees w u. It seems like the negative spreads faster than the positive. Like the old adage “misery loves company”. If u r talking about Jesus around the coffee pot u might get 2 people, but start giving unsolicited advice about how your boss should run things I guarantee u will have an audience of 7 or 8 willing partipants.
It seems that if we aren’t watchful, delebrate it is so easy to become a willing participant in this type of toxity. We as Christians do it all the time we when call ourselves reasoning and coming together to pray for someone. How much is reasoning, how much is gossip, how much is just one person’sopinion. Be quiet! Just pray.
God has really dealt with me in this area. He knows what it takes for each of his children.
Sometimes I can hear him say shh, be quiet, but mostly he says Shut Up! I know ya’l will say that’s rude but for some of us, expecially me that’s what it takes.
Cynthia even though I read the lesson today I was most impacted by what you said
How sobering to know these things, these ways are in “my heart” my God! No one else can I blame. I gotta own it.
Lord create within me a clean heart, renew the right spirit in me. Oh Jesus I thank you for never giving up on me. As you speak life and love and renewal into my life let me impart the same to others!
Good morning all! What another great devotion. I did not sleep well last night and that will make today difficult. I have two kids under 3 to care for. Praying for God's energy today and that the caffeine from several cups of coffee will infuse me :) HA!
Today's question was great for me. I believe it all has to do with our mind. Our mind is a battlefield. We are always having lies spoken to us and I believe that makes some thoughts toxic. And we can speak those before really processing them with God's truth.
Praying for life-giving words to come form me instead of toxic. Especially towards myself.
Praying for EXTRA energy for you girl!!
Praying that Gods peace and renewal guides u today
I think sometimes we speak more toxic words as they tend to solicit more of a response from the hearer. It is easier to complain and grumble together – dwelling on details and generating a collective perspective on something negative – rather than to go on about something good, pure, and right. I find gossip is so readily spewing out of my mouth. I pray that the Lord helps me to recognize the times I'm prompted to initiate such a conversation, and that I, in turn, may recognize the opportunity to speak words of beauty and praise.
Seriously! I find myself so captivated with juicy gossip! Why!? Do I secretly find joy in someone else not doing well? Do I just want to hear a good story?
Words are powerful! We hear them and if we do that often enough, they begin to mold and shape us. This is why propaganda is used so readily by cults and radical groups.
What we hear and/or read becomes a part of us. The Bible says, “as a man thinks so is he” and “out if the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”.
The question today: Why do you think we tend to speak more toxic words than life-giving words even when we don’t intend to?
It becomes very sobering that I speak toxic words because that is what is in my heart. “No good thing dwells in this flesh.” (Romans 7:18) The Good News is that Our Father has made provision for “this” through Jesus Christ!
We believe in our heart and confess with our mouth… When the source of what we read and hear is from above, it is pure. He does an internal work in each of us if we allow.
He does an internal work in each of us IF WE ALLOW…Lord help me to be clay in your hands! Thank you Cynthia! I think we tend to speak more toxic words than life-giving words because that is what we are bombarded with DAILY. But the more we POUR ourselves into the life-giving WORD of God, the more we will begin to spring forth rivers of living water.
Well-said! That same verse about what's in our heart is what we speak came to mind for me too. I too could really only come to the conclusion that I say more toxic things because there is toxic stuff going on in my heart. I do not really like admitting that. It puts things on a much deeper level. But that is where God likes to go, right?
Sorry Christie. Meant to hit " like"