New Year’s Resolution: Reflecting Jesus With My Words

The new year is almost here, and I’m getting ready to assess how this year has gone and plan for the future, as well. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite things to do. Planning, lists, setting goals, and looking ahead to the next thing are among the most satisfying ways I spend my time. In other words, I’m a big ol’ nerd. As for making resolutions, I try to be careful about setting the bar too high. Rather than create a lofty list of goals I’ll never achieve, I prefer to make small changes over time that have a better chance of lasting. Among the small daily habits that I long to create or remove from my life, my biggest “resolution” for the upcoming year is the most important and difficult. I plan to pay more attention to whether or not I am reflecting Jesus with my words. Despite this being a goal I have set for myself, I think we all might benefit from remembering to consider what our words say about the Lord.

Do Our Words Really Matter That Much?

Some of us have more words than others. Let’s call them Talkers. Talkers say so much that we…I mean they…cling to the hope that the expression “talk is cheap” really holds true. It sure would be comforting if that were true. However, we all know that words carry a lot of weight and can do a lot of damage.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Proverbs 18:21

The Bible has a lot to say about our words, and we’ll get to that soon. If the Bible made no other mention of our words, though, the above verse offers plenty of support for the idea that what we say matters. A lot.

Experience Has Something To Say

If God’s Word isn’t enough for you, then we need to have a chat because there’s a problem…

But let’s just pretend we need more evidence than what we can find in Scripture. Our experiences would also have a lot to add to this conversation.

I’m currently forty-one years old, and I can remember in exact detail some of the mean words spoken to me as a child. The same can be said about my teenage and adult years. In fact, I can tell you the rude and hurtful things people have said to me this week. Sometimes, it’s the only feedback, comments, and criticism I will remember despite receiving significantly more positive ones. Is this because I’m too sensitive? I don’t think so. I believe this just makes me human.

Words matter.

As Christians, our words carry extra weight because we are ambassadors of Christ. We represent Him. Are we representing Him well? Are we saying things we would never say if Jesus were visibly standing next to us? Do people hear our speech and recognize a difference in us that is ultimately due to the Lord? How do we even accomplish that?

Reflecting Jesus With My Words: The Beginner’s Guide

I’m no expert on this subject, but I’m working on it. After spending some deliberate time in the Bible in search of answers I quickly discovered that reflecting Jesus with my words is not going to be easy. Actually, I’m positive I can’t do it. At least, I can’t do it alone. So, this is going to need to be a daily constant prayer.

I like praying as specifically as I can. Therefore, after careful consideration, I have created a list of seven things I’m praying will characterize my speech.

1. Humility

God speaks to us directly about the value and importance of humility and warns against pride. Shouldn’t a Christian’s speech display that humility in order to reflect Jesus?

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:30

(See also: Colossians 3:12; Proverbs 18:12)

2. Wisdom

With humility comes wisdom, as Proverbs 11:2 says. Wisdom is something all believers ought to seek, and where do you suppose we find it? You betcha! The Bible. Having wisdom means that my words will reflect the truths we can only have through God’s Word. Whatever wisdom God grants me will be heard in my speech. Through that, I hope Jesus will be more evident in me to those who hear me.

“The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”

Proverbs 16:23 (ESV)

(See also: Proverbs 14: 1-35; Proverbs 20:5)

3. Speak Truth

I suspect this could almost go without saying, but I mean more than just don’t lie. Although, I certainly mean that, too. Do you ever feel convicted to say something about God and opt not to because, well, it’s complicated? No? Great, great. I guess I’m the only one here with a cowardly streak.

What would happen if I didn’t let conversations be overtaken by those with bad takes on God? Would the world end if I didn’t let an opportunity to share the gospel with a difficult family member go by? I might not be lying, but I’m not always telling the truth.

Perhaps my knowingly allowing someone to believe lies when I can lovingly share truth makes me guilty of the lie.

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

James 4:17 (ESV)

That’s my conviction concerning myself. Please, don’t take this as a condemnation. You work this out between you and God. In the end, I just want people to see Jesus through my honest speech. I hope you want the same.

“The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”

Proverbs 12:19

(See also: Psalms 34:12-13; Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:15)

4. Build Others Up

Don’t tear other people down. OK, that sounds fair, but what if that means we have to be more thoughtful about who we goof around with, as well, because they are more easily offended? Does this apply to the woman at church who has nothing kind to say about you when you’re out of earshot?

We should be an encouragement to everyone, and that can be a challenge. I’m not an encouraging person by nature. I’m uncomfortable saying nice words, and I’m detail-oriented. That means I tend to keep nice thoughts to myself while pointing out what is wrong. Let’s just say I’m unlikely to write a book on making friends and winning people over.

As with everything else on this list, I’m working on it. But I’m sure that choosing to use wholesome speech and blessing people with my words will be a good start to representing Christ.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Ephesians 4:29

(See also: 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19)

5. Speak Less

You might be wondering how I am reflecting Jesus with my words by speaking less. Well, one big thing is that I have less chances to represent Him poorly if I don’t speak.

I have to ask myself if I am adding anything to the room when I speak. Also, I need to consider how I am making Jesus look when I prattle on. Keep in mind, though, that there are appropriate times for chit-chat and long, relaxing talks over coffee with a dear friend. On the other hand, not every moment with every person should play out like that coffee date.

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

Proverbs 21:23

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Proverbs 17:28

(See also: Proverbs 10:19; James 1:19)

6. Quit Complaining

Think about Israel in the wilderness for a moment. God freed them from slavery, rescued them from Egypt’s army by literally splitting the Red Sea open to make a dry passage, provided food and water, and let’s not forget the plagues – especially the death of the firstborns which led to the Passover. What was Israel’s response? Among other things, grumbling and complaining. They seemed to return to a continual dissatisfaction with God. We read the Old Testament today and roll our eyes. “C’mon, Israel! Can’t you see what He’s doing?!”

It’s easy for us to judge them so harshly now that we have God’s completed Word and the luxury of hindsight. Are we really any different, though? I’d like to think that I am, but sometimes I find myself complaining about things rather than asking God for help or setting my mind on all the blessings I have. I can’t even remember how many times my firstborn child kept me up all night, and I would focus on how tired I was instead of what a blessing it was to have that little girl in my life.

How well am I reflecting Jesus with my words if I complain? Pretty poorly! I’m essentially telling people life with Christ is something to grumble and complain about. Instead of complaining, I should be taking these things to God. 

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

Philippians 2:14

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

(See also: James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:9)

7. Speak More About God, Less About The World

Finally, I want to be more thoughtful regarding what I talk about. In reality, every word out of my mouth is not going to be “spiritual.” At the same time, how much time do I dedicate to topics that have nothing to do with Him at all? If my faith and the gospel are so important, then I should be talking about Him more than other things. I tell people that I began this blog because I felt a strong burden for Christian women who were being fed lies, psychobabble, self-help, and feminism. So, shouldn’t my words reflect that conviction?

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Philippians 2:15

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

1 John 2:15

(See also: Matthew 24:14; Romans 1:16)

Final Thought

I’m not working on my speech because it is awful and offensive to everyone around me, but there is definitely room for improvement. We can choose any area in our lives to examine, and I know for a fact that we will find something in need of our attention. If you’re looking for a way to draw closer to God and reflect Him more accurately, your words are a fantastic place to begin.

Do you think your speech needs improvement? What are you hoping to work on in the upcoming year?

Image courtesy of Patrick Fore via Unsplash.