Friday Fight 144: Appropriate Adjectives

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF144.

How many of us have been in a position where we have overheard one person speaking horribly to another person? Yes, we are only getting a snapshot of this person’s day, so we attempt to remain neutral in our judgment while cringing at the words spoken. We want to tell this person or anyone else with a negative description, not to believe what is being communicated. Yet, how often do we use those very words when describing ourselves?

Appropriate Adjectives:

Most of us will protect our loved ones' integrity and speak protective words against anyone who says something otherwise. We may have certain adjectives that describe those close to us. Still, we will defend their honor all day long. We may even dislike a loved one's behavior but will protect them from being disciplined by others, as corrections are better served privately. In moments of frustration, it is also a good idea to remember not to attach a negative adjective to a person but to their poor demeanor. Our words have great power. Some medical professionals also recognize the power of descriptive words. For example, I know someone who had leukemia as a child. Those around her were very careful to say that her "blood was sick" as opposed to, "you are sick." (By the grace of God, she is an adult and cancer-free). There was no attachment between her as a toddler and her sickness. We have discussed "The Weight of our Words" regarding our abilities, which can impact our future endeavors (see Friday Fight 16). However, this post is about the impact our words have on our souls.

With all that being said, and with the attention we give to the descriptive words of others, how often do we use ourselves as the exception? Where are we in the application of adjectives that describe ourselves? Ephesians 4:29 says, "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." This verse applies to us listening to ourselves as well.

If we are struggling with anxiety, depression, or perhaps walking through a season of anger, what adjective-noun fight are we having? God reveals Himself through moments in our lives and is brokenhearted when we speak hurtful words about ourselves, just as we feel when someone speaks harshly about those we love. If we are walking through healing, we need to be mindful that progress is not linear. We are walking and healing according to the Word of God, not the words of our mouths.

The biggest problem with speaking negatively about ourselves is that we are always listening. It does not matter if we are talking or someone else is saying it; words of death spoken over us are being heard and impact our mind, body, and spirit. What we speak, hear, or expose our minds to all have power over us and can dictate how we live our lives. There will always be those people who call others stupid and then follow it up with, "I am just kidding," but it is still being said and heard.

If you have ever considered fasting and wondered what to remove from your life, try fasting negativity. A fast of our negative words would be the same as any other fast focusing on Scripture. The application of this fast would be to replace negative words with Scripture. Some of us may find that calling ourselves stupid or picking some body part that we hate and adjust our adjectives. We can begin by altering our words of self-depreciation and watching how it changes our perception and value of ourselves. Let’s use more appropriate adjectives in an attempt to see ourselves how God sees us, being created in His image, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Pastor Shannon

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