The dictionary defines “contagious” as an
adjective/description of something that “spreads from one person or organism to
another by direct or indirect contact; to spread to and affect others.” It
applies to far more than germs and viruses. What makes something contagious is
that it is “communicable - able to be transmitted from one to another.” What a fitting definition. More likely than not, what is “spread” comes
straight out of our mouths. (And I am not referring to coughing, sneezing,
spitting or breathing.) Our mind, heart and soul are “infected” by what is
communicated. We are “infected” by what we hear and “infect” others by what we
say. Unfortunately, it is not usually
faith, hope, joy, unconditional love, or confidence in the Lord that is being “spread
from one person to another by direct or indirect contact.”
What has settled in our heart determines what is
“transmitted from one to another.” (Luke 6:45) One of the ways to assure what comes out is positively
infectious, is by being acutely aware of what is flowing into our heart and
out our mouth. Psalm 19:14 addresses
both of these, and needs to be a daily prayer.
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and
my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
We cannot let what comes out of our
mouth cause us to fall short of God’s glory.
Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in
the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be
angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Ecclesiastes 5:6
Instead
…
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6
The common definition of “salty”
speech, one of being coarse and crude, is not what “seasoned with salt” means.
Salt has a variety of purposes and benefits. What we say needs to be more than
expressing our minds, but accomplishing a gracious purpose. Grace is the
manifestation of God’s heart and character. When we are gracious, He is able to
show up in and through us. (For a list of the varied uses of salt and its
application to what we say, please see the devotion entitled What To Say,
posted September 11, 2011.)
Glory and grace need to be
our facemask that filters out detrimentally infecting words – in or out! (Psalm 141:3; Ephesians 4:29)
Many of us grew up singing,
“O be careful little eyes what you see … o be careful little ears what you hear
… o be careful little mouth what you say … o be careful little hands what you
do … o be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above is looking
down in love, so be careful little eyes, little ears, little mouth, little
hands, little feet, little you what you do.”
Big me needs to be exceptionally careful, because we live in a big world
filled with people who are not being careful and are contagious.
We are all contagious.
The question is: What are we spreading and “infecting” others with? What are we allowing to enter our hearts and
minds that “infect” us?
Making It Personal
Glory is who God is, and
grace is the manifestation of His character.
How can these definitions be applied as filters to what you say and what
you allow to enter your mind?
You may or may not have
control what you hear, but you do have control of what you listen to. What is the difference? Why is it important
that you be intentional regarding what you listen to and what others
hear you say?
According to Ephesians 4:21-24 and Romans 12:1-2, what is the cure for an adversely “infected” heart
and mind?
How can you deliberately
“infect” others with grace and truth?
