WEARYING GOD WITH OUR WORDS
“You have wearied the LORD with your words; Yet you say, "In what way have we wearied Him?" Malachi 2:17a (NKJV)
The spoken word is among the most powerful means of communication. The Bible teaches that man can weary God with his words. Here are some of the various instances when our words weary God.
I. VAIN AND PROFANE WORDS:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 ( NASB reads: “for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”).
“I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations.” Ezekiel 36:23
II. EMPTY AND REPETITIOUS WORDS:
“But you, when you pray go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and thy Father who sees what is done in secret shall reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.” Matthew 6:6-7 NASB
III. INSINCERE WORDS:
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock: and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
"But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:6-46-49 NASB
IV. THOUGHTS WORTHY OF OUR ATTENTION:
1. God is the unseen Listener to every word we speak!
If we keep this truth continually in mind, we will be diligent to guard our speech. Our words, at times, may tend to be displeasing to Him unless we live in the constant realization of His presence in our lives.
2. We will give an account unto God for every word we speak!
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV.)
3. We need to resolve to honor God with our words. Consider the prayer of David recorded in Psalm 19.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock (Strength) and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14.
V. WHEN OUR WORDS ARE PLEASING TO GOD:
1. When we praise Him!
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!" Psalms 150:6 (NKJV)
2. When we lift our voice in prayer!
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. Proverbs 15:8 (NKJV)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
3. When we witness to others of His saving grace!
"I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly." Psalms 40:9-10 (NKJV)
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV).
