Why is Your Relationship with Your Word significant?

It is significant because your word represents you and defines your agreements by how you show up in the world. Your word provides evidence as to whether or not you are a man or woman of integrity moving towards or away from your vision. We have a  saying, “Often harsh, always fair based on results,” your life will reflect the words you use and the meaning they hold. Being impeccable with your word means guarding your thoughts (Above the Line Thinking), emotions (attitude), and words or actions (behaviors) in a way that keeps you in alignment with your authentic-self and with God.

The reason this is so important is because your words have “power.”   Proverbs 18:21 (AMPC),“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”

James 3:8-12 (MSG) “This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father (Above the Line Thinking); with the same tongues we curse (Below the Line Thinking) the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and blackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?”

Seriously, you may still think about the words someone said (Below the Line Thinking) to you that almost destroyed you. I myself have lost every bit of self-dignity and self-control just because of what a significant other or family member has said to me. I’m not proud of those moments. I immediately wanted to cry, yell, scream, defend myself and even just give up on life (my vision) all together because their words meant that much to me. If this is you, you’re not alone.

Words that took years to shake off, or maybe you are still trying to forget. Or maybe it’s you that hurt someone else with your words. Words hurt. And they do so in a way that’s under the surface leaving no visible wounds. But the impact they have can be life-changing and not necessarily in a good way. However, our words can also speak of life, healing, and health. Remember “thoughts” (Above or Below the Line Thinking) become things, in this case our words.

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What is Your Relationship with Your Word? Are you walking in integrity with your word? When you’re impeccable with your word you win favor with yourself, others, and God because you are in alignment with all three. Your words define your agreements. Are you a fickle pickle who’s unreliable and untrustworthy or can others depend on you because you’re trustworthy? Is your current relationship with your word costing you loved ones, friendships, acquaintances,  promotions and or opportunities? If so, what is your word worth to you? Your word has value. “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;” 1 Peter 3:10 ESV

 Here are the three greatest questions:

1.     How do you honor your word with yourself, others, and God?

2.     If your word is a relationship with yourself, others and God, how would you rate each relationship and why? Rate each relationship on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being very healthy and 1 being very unhealthy.

3.     What are three values or boundaries you can set to honor your word to yourself, others, and God?

As you begin to dive into these questions, be sure to 1) Identify your values and set boundaries 2) Identify “triggers” and “patterns” where you frequently break promises and 3) Identify where and how you use “yes” and “no.” Does your yes mean yes and your no mean no?

When you begin to apply Above the Line Thinking you realize what words you use and how you use those words to honor yourself, others, and God. It makes all the difference in the world. Here are a few scriptures to meditate on when it comes to a relationship with your word.   

“Let no corrupt communication (Below the Line Thinking) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (Above the Line Thinking), that it may bring grace to the hearers” (KJV, Ephesians 4:29)

“Let your speech always be (Above the Line Thinking) gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (ESV, Colossians 4:6).

“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this (Below the Line Thinking) defiles a person.” (ESV, Matthew 15:11).