Paul David Tripp's book War of Words has been a favorite of mine for many years now. Ever since the first time I read it, I haven't been able to escape Tripp's challenge to let my speech be "an agent of grace in the lives of those around me." Of course, like many struggles against sin, there's a cycle of victory and then defeat, and the need to repent and keep striving, with the Spirit's enabling.
Recently I started reading this book out loud to our children, and I'm so thankful to have it's influence around again to help us work on loving, gracious speech. At the end of the first chapter, Tripp includes a list of wonderfully convicting questions to help evaluate our progress. Here's a few:
1. Does your talk with others lead to biblical problem solving?
2. Does your talk have a "stand together" or a "me against him/her/them" posture?
3. Do your words encourage others to be open and honest about their thoughts and feelings?
4. Are you approachable and teachable or defensive and self-protective when talking with others?
5. Is your communication healthy in the principal relationships in your life?
6. Does your talk encourage faith and personal spiritual growth in those around you?
7. Do you talk with others to develop relationships with them, or do you only talk to solve problems during times of trouble?
8. Do you speak humble and honest wods of confession when you sin and words of sincere forgiveness when others sin against you?
9. Do your words reflect a willingness to serve others or a demand that they serve you?
10. As you face the struggles of talk, do you do so with a recognition of the gospel--God's forgiveness, his enabling grace, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?
0 comments:
Post a Comment