Tag: words

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Words from the heart

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 6.

“What’s on your mind?”

Sounds like a good question. But a better question would be, “What’s in your heart?” At least that’s what Jesus says.

“Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 ESV)

“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).

If you want to know what someone really cares about, just listen. Listen to their words. Pay attention to their vocabulary. Do you hear what they’re saying? What we say just never comes from our mouths. It’s not about what we’ve learned. It comes from deep within. It comes from our hearts.

  • Does every sentence begin with “I?” Guess who is the most important person in their life?
  • How frequently do they mention money, purchases, or possessions? They’ve revealed the identity of their God.
  • Have they told you about everything they can’t stand, won’t tolerate, and absolutely hate? A lot of anger escapes in their words.
  • Admission of worry, concern, and doubt reveals fear.

It’s not all bad. Sometimes our words reveal beautiful heart-held truths.

  • Does the speaker ask a lot of questions? They care a lot about you.
  • Words of gratitude flow from those who know the one who gives them life, and breath, and everything. They have a close, personal relationship with the provider.
  • What if they obsess about the hurts and needs of others? Perhaps they see people as Jesus did: sheep who need a shepherd.
  • Do you hear joy in their words? Do they see the hand of God in the most difficult of situations? Their hearts are attuned to the one who truly holds our lives in his hands.

Here’s your assignment. Listen carefully to what another is saying. What do you hear that’s coming from their heart?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Watch what you say

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Ecclesiastes 10.

“A little bird told me…”

“The walls have ears…”

These little truths warn me to be careful what I say, even if I think I’m alone. I’ve been told that my voice carries. You never know who’s listening.

These truths come from scripture:

“Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20).

Our best efforts at privacy fail. Phone cameras capture every moment of our lives. Security cameras watch intersections, self-checkout lanes, and gas pumps. I can’t even talk to my dog. A sign at the veterinarian alerts me that conversations are being recorded.

When someone speaks negatively about a person I’ve never met, it affects the way I interact with that person when I do meet them. That’s unfair.

And if I speak negatively about someone, even to myself, that attitude shows up in my conversations about them. They’ll know.

Word gets out, one way or the other.

Is there any solution? Sure. Think and speak positively. Put the best construction on everything. Give that person the benefit of the doubt. Use words that build up rather than tear down. Focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Posted in Ministry, sermon

Words you should never use in a sermon

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chase Kennedy on Unsplash

I don’t remember the exact sermons in which I used these words. I only remember being called on the carpet for using these words.

You’re curious, aren’t you? You can relax. I doubt these words will shock you, not compared to the language you hear everyday on the air, in podcasts, or in movies.

I used the first phrase when I was speaking about anger. I said something like, “He was really pissed off.” I thought that was a familiar euphemism for being upset.

A few days later, a couple came by my office to talk to me. They were visibly upset and told me in no uncertain terms that they wouldn’t attend a church where bathroom humor was used in the pulpit. I had no idea what they were talking about until they explained to me their offense at the word pissed. I apologized and never used that word again in my preaching.

The second word I was called out on is slut. I must have been talking about one of the women in the bible with a “reputation” and referred to her as a slut. One couple in attendance couldn’t believe I had exposed their teenage granddaughter to such language. Having worked with youth for many years, I’ll bet she had a much broader vocabulary than her grandparents realized. But I apologized and never did use that word again in my preaching.

Of course, there are many other words a preacher should never use in a sermon. But those are the only two times I was challenged. I apologize for the click-bait title. You’re probably pissed off you didn’t get to read about something a little juicier than “slut.”

I figure I preached 2,000 sermons in thirty-six years of ministry. At around 2,000 words per sermon, that would total four million words from the pulpit. Two bad words? That’s not too bad.