Ever had to “eat your own words”? It's a difficult spoonful to swallow. Announcing an opinion as fact or questioning a promise and being proven wrong is the antithesis of embarrassment. We’re usually left having to take it all back.
Athletes and teams sometimes promote themselves by announcing how great they are going to be. If it turns out to be true they don’t have to eat their words. If, however, things don’t go so well, any future announcements will be questioned at the least and most likely not believed…a bad “eating” habit. Descriptive words will follow a proven performance.
LET THE PERFORMANCE DO THE TALKING
We can find ourselves announcing what we feel as if it is true and end up having to eat our own words. The prophet Jeremiah, a mouthpiece for God, found himself having to take it all back. In the 15th chapter of his writings, he opens by whining about his situation after believing God's Word...
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)
By verse 18 Jeremiah is questioning whether the Lord is even there for him…
I don’t understand why my injury is not cured or healed. Will you be like a brook that goes dry? Will you be like a spring that stops flowing? (NCV)
In another version of the Bible Jeremiah boldly announces what God looks like to him…
You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. (NIV)
Verse 19 brings a response from the Lord answering Jeremiah’s cruel accusation …
“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back. Then you’ll stand tall before me. Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining. Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me. Let your words change them. Don’t change your words to suit them.” (The Message)
PRAYER: Lord, let my words be those that I won’t have to eat. I will eat of Your Word daily so my words and thoughts can be Your words and thoughts. In Jesus Name, Amen.
FEASTING ON GOD’S WORD SAVES US FROM HAVING TO EAT OUR OWN.
Blessings...as you speak truly and well with words that reflect our God.
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