The Lodestar

Speech is a gift. But if we are not careful, it can become a barrier to spiritual growth.

Jesus once challenged a widespread belief among his Jewish audience—that certain foods defiled a person and separated them from God. He corrected them with a startling truth: “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but what comes out” (Matthew 15:11). In other words, our words—not our diets—truly reveal the state of our hearts.

The apostle James took this further in his powerful warning about the misuse of speech. He wrote, “The tongue is a fire... it stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). What we say can do immense damage—not just to others, but to our own spiritual well-being.

Even the prophet Isaiah was overwhelmed by the impurity of his speech when he stood in God's presence. “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips,” he cried, “and I dwell among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). When we encounter God's holiness, we begin to understand the weight our words carry.

But does this mean we should remain silent, like monks who take vows of silence and retreat from the world? Not at all.

Words are necessary. They teach, encourage, correct, and build relationships. God has given us speech as a tool for good. But he also calls us to be wise—to know when to speak and when to stay silent.

One such time to be silent is when we are tempted to engage in conversations that may pull us away from God. It is not about avoiding people who do not believe—Jesus never did that—but about avoiding conversations that compromise our character or lead us into sin.

Many of us have said things we regret, entered discussions that left us convicted, and needing to seek God’s forgiveness. In moments like these, silence is not weakness. It is wisdom, strength, and holiness in action.

So let the Spirit shape our speech.

Let our words reflect the presence of Christ.

And when the moment calls for silence—let that silence speak louder than any word we could say.

TRY THIS:

Choose one day this week to practice intentional silence for a few hours. During that time, reflect on how God speaks when we are still, and how silence can draw us closer to His holiness.

Let your words this week bring life. And let your silence, when needed, reflect the presence of the Holy God you serve.

(To receive this devotional daily on WhatsApp, click here.)