"Are Your Conversations God Approved?"

By: Zach Wood

2 Timothy 2:15-16

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

 

 

For the past week, I have been reading and re-reading over the first two chapters of 2 Timothy.  What has been most moving to me is the fact that we are challenged and encouraged to be faithful as servants of Christ.  Also, we are to be work people approved by God.  Every day, I have thought about my actions, my words, and my reactions to other people.  Not only have I been considering those conversations at work, but also the conversations I have on the way to work and the way home each day.  Sometimes, I find myself venting and talking in ways that are not God approved.  I am commanded, through God's Word, to be faithful and encouraging.

 

I am sure most of us would quickly agree that we need to always be encouraging in our words and conversations with others.  However, living that statement can be a whole different story.  Are we honoring God with what we say each day?  Are we giving our absolute best in serving Him and dedicating every waking moment to Him as we live? 

 

I will admit it is so easy to become caught up in godless chatter.  It is especially easy to think of our conversations to be "sharing concerns".  Instead of our prayer chains at church, they tend to become "gossip chains".  When I am involved in these conversations, I always feel a tug on my heart and I think to myself, "Would God really be approved of what I am talking about?"  I know the answer to that before I even ask it most of the time.  This, of course, is the Holy Spirit prompting me to stop my godless chatter and start some encouraging conversations instead.

 

When I am at work, I strive to do the best job I can and be a good worker for the company and for my boss.  When I am at home, I strive to be a loving husband and father.  Even though I am not perfect at either of these jobs, I do try and strive to be my best.  Even on days when I do not feel good, I know I need to still strive to be the best I can be.  I am sure many of you try to be the best you can be at your job and in your household.  Likewise, we should strive to have our words be God approved.  

 

My encouragement to each of us is to stop being a part of godless chatter.  I know that we all deal with this problem and contribute to the gossip chain that floats around work, church, and wherever else we go.  Instead of becoming more and more ungodly, we need to become more and more Godly and keep our conversations filled with love as it states in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  Need I say more?