Psalm 19:14New King James Version (NKJV)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

This was really a prayer by King David and recently has become mine as well. Lord, let all of my words be acceptable in your sight. Not just the words I speak in public but also those words spoken in confidence, in private where perhaps just one trusted friend may hear.  Let all my words be filled with life, love, grace and mercy because those are the words acceptable in your sight. Lord, check me before I speak a word that is unkind and without grace. A word that judges another.

If I wonder what may be acceptable speech to the Lord all I have to do is read:

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 12:36 ESV

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Proverbs 18:21 ESV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

I love these scriptures but they are easy to forget. We can forget them when we find ourselves joining in a fruitless conversation. We can forget them when someone hurts us. We can forget them when we are with people that seem to do or say crazy things! Tis the season to be stressed and be with the stressed! Tis the season to mix with those who may not know these scriptures! So, it is great to be reminded….

But King David didn’t stop there, he went deeper still, into his thought life. He was asking God that the mediation of his heart would be pleasing to Him. So I have made this my prayer as well. The question that keeps coming to mind; Lord, is what I am thinking about, giving reign to in my thought life, pleasing to you?  I have to admit that some of my thoughts would make Aslan growl at me as he did in Narnia when one of the kids started complaining or judging another. I can see it in my minds eye! I have to remind myself when self pity or righteous indignation raises its ugly head to stop and replace those thoughts with the words of Philippians:

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Oh dear, what about those things I think about that may not be true? Is what I am thinking about another person really lovely? Commendable means honorable, respectful and excellent. Am I honoring another with all my thoughts? Respecting them? Maybe even forgiving them, just in case I may have been offended..

During the holidays when we are with so many others it is a prime time for the enemy to cultivate negative thoughts and judgements. Stress and crowds help him out..

I know most of our intentions are pure and loving as we  look forward to warm times of celebration with family and friends. But just in case we find a negative thought or word slipping in perhaps remembering King David’s prayer and making it our own will both keep us out of trouble and make us a Christmas blessing as we give the gifts of kind thoughts and words to those around us.