"A man's speech [discloses] the bent of his mind" (Sir 27:6). What you say reveals what is in your heart. St. Dominic advised to speak only to God or of God. One of the very best ways to learn how to speak as God would have us speak is to immerse ourselves daily in the Word of God. As we daily make our home in the Word of God, that Word then makes its home in us. Our words become His words; our native language more and more becomes "Scripture." God's Word fills our heart, and we speak from our heart's abundance, which is Scripture (see Lk 6:45).
Like Jesus, we say what the Father puts on our heart. Yet we only say what will build the kingdom of God and not tear it down. "We must consider how to rouse each other to love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24). "Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them" (Eph 4:29).
Therefore, beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to "seek eagerly after...the gift of prophecy" (1 Cor 14:1). A prophet speaks what God is saying at the time He is saying it. The Holy Spirit is faithful (1 Thes 5:24), and He will "remind you of all that" the Lord has said (Jn 14:26). Therefore, "do not stifle the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies" (1 Thes 5:19-20). "The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said" (Lk 12:12).
| PRAYER: | Father, through Your Word, teach me "what to say and how to speak" (Jn 12:49). |
| PROMISE: | "You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord." –1 Cor 15:58 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, risen Lord of my life, my body, and my tongue! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College