The Words of My Mouth...

So a personal goal for the month of June is working on my words.  What that means specifically = No complaining, no criticizing (slander/gossip), and no cussing.  

Easier said than done, obviously.

I want to work with God to transform my thoughts from the inside out, believing that changing my words will change my quality of life!  I want to give more thought to the words I speak (and write) and to the creative power of words.  I obviously won't be perfect at this and it will take practice to retrain ingrained mindsets and bad habits, but I'm praying for fresh conviction from the Holy Spirit here.  And to help keep it in the forefront of my mind, I'm going to speak three things I'm genuinely grateful for any time I catch myself complaining about something... speak three sincere compliments or things I appreciate about the person if I've said something critical about someone else or about myself... and speak three of the following seven verses (which I'll print and keep with me) out loud any time I cuss.  A three-to-one rule to retrain my brain and stop casually morphing/conforming to the world in this area!

"Don't use foul or abusive language.
Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words
will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
~Ephesians 4:29

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
~Psalm 19:14

"Your own soul is nourished when you are kind;
It is destroyed when you are cruel."
~Proverbs 11:17

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
~Proverbs 15:4

"But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage,
malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language."
~Colossians 3:8

"Think before you speak, and don't make any rash promises to God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."
~Ecclesiastes 5:2

"A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger."
~Proverbs 15:1

Should be interesting.  Feel free to join me or help hold me accountable here! =)

May all who search for God
be filled with joy and gladness in Him!