KACHELBELA: Trapped By Words

KACHELBELA: Trapped By Words: Dear Diary, #Trapped_By_Words On my day 13 of #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge I learned that words can be ensnaring. I don’t know about yo...

Trapped By Words

Dear Diary,

#Trapped_By_Words

On my day 13 of #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge I learned that words can be ensnaring. I don’t know about your experience but there are times I have said some things that eventually got me trapped. I have also observed that there are some sweet talkers who engage you in conversations with the intentions of trapping you in your words. Woe to you if you ain’t smart and economical with words!

Matthew 22:15 says, “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus in His words.” Actually, Luke 11:53-54 tells us that the Scribes and the Pharisees resorted to intense interrogation with many hostile questions; their   sole purpose was to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against Him. Surely, as Proverbs 12:6 says, “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood…” You’ll agree with me, with fiery darts Satan tries to provoke us to say something that will give him access into our lives.

How can words trap you?

• When you tell a lie, it will get you trapped. Remember, “God detests lying lips but He delights in people who are trustworthy,” Prov 12:22. Keep off white lies.

• When you can’t shut down the motor mouth, remember, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent,” Prov. 10:19.

• Sometimes being nice to people-you know, wanting to help them (well-meaning). By giving a surety in their behalf can be ensnaring, Prov. 6:1-2.

• When vexed you end up saying words that will make Satan put a noose around your necks. Remember, “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult,” Prov 12:16

So many scenarios in which we can end up saying things which ultimately ensnare us.

Look here, “Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk….” Proverbs 12:13. Not only the evildoors who’re trapped by their evil words, even the well-meaning Christian can fall into the trap, “You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,” Proverbs 6:2.

Moving on…

Now, if you find yourself trapped by your words, how can you free yourself? The best answers I have: first, CONFESS and REPENT your sin! Secondly, once you become aware of how important words are, PRAY as the Psalmist did, “Set a guard over my mouth, O lord, keep watch over the door of my lips,” Psalm 141:3. Remember, “From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,” Prov. 12:14. As long as we keep a watch over our mouths, Satan doesn’t have a booby trap to tighten around our necks.

Regards,

NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: Whose Mouth, Whose Words!

KACHELBELA: Whose Mouth, Whose Words!: Dear Diary, #Whose_Mouth_Whose_Words?  #Shut_Down_the_Motormouth On my day 11 of the #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge I learned that the God w...

Whose Mouth, Whose Words!

Dear Diary,

#Whose_Mouth_Whose_Words? 

#Shut_Down_the_Motormouth

On my day 12 of the #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge I learned that the God who made the mouth is able to to put in it the appropriate words to speak in every circumstance.Whether a stutterer or diffident, God is sufficient for us, no matter what real or imagined inadequacies we have.

In Exodus 4:10-12, Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 

God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations,” Jeremiah 1:5. But Jeremiah, had a different opinion, “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” Jeremiah said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young,” v.6. I love the LORD’s response, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth,” v.6-9.

Now, how many of us feel like Moses and/or Jeremiah? Probably you feel you can’t speak up because you’re not eloquent. Maybe the situation you’re supposed to speak to frightens you. Well, thing is, God made your mouth and if He says you can do it, He means it. Maybe, you’re bankrupt of the appropriate words to speak, I just want to tell you that He who made the most eloquent mouths is able to give you the right words; He is also able to make your words authoritative so just depend on Him.

Regards,

NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: Toxic Mouth

KACHELBELA: Toxic Mouth: Dear Diary, #Shut_Down_the_Motormouth On my Day 11 of the #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge, I learned that one of the marks of the godles...

Toxic Mouth

Dear Diary,

#Shut_Down_the_Motormouth

On my Day 11 of the #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge, I learned that one of the marks of the godless (hypocrite) is that they destroy people and/or lead to overthrow of a nation with their words, Proverbs 11:9, 11-13.

How do the godless destroy their neighbours? How do salacious gossips spread? Consider gutter press, social media, newsrooms, radio stations. What be the effect? Nasty scars, damaged character! Maybe, you’re saying, “He/she deserves it!” Well, give the benefit of doubt; some of those people are lampooned and pierced mercilessly for no reason. Without thinking through or even listening to the other side of the story, some of us as soon as we see /read/hear of a scandalous gossip we hit the share/forward button. Actually, as you hit forward/share button, you don’t consider yourself godless, do you? See your life! Verse 13 tells us, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” The thing about gossip is that some of us, Christians, we share it as a sly prayer item in our prayer meetings or use it in the pulpit as a cunning sermon illustration. What we don’t realize is that it is character assassination at times!  In addition, the mouth of the godless destroys a neighbour through disparaging, perverting and corrupting them. “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue,” v. 12.

In our country, every electioneering period is marked with viciously bitter hate speech that stirs up tribal clashes. While the mouth of the righteous is a well of life, the mouth of the godless leads to the overthrow of a nation. “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed,” v.11.  Some of us, during our elections year- political campaigns our mouths are destructive, if you know, you know! Sitasema mengi.

Now, next time when you hear/read or see a scandalous gossip, pause and think through before you hit forward/share button. Before you disparage someone for whatever reason, think about the scars you might leave in them. You know, 2022 politics are gaining momentum; the famous handshake has kept us guessing but just before you open your mouth to speak, think through your words-don’t spread, incite, promote or justify tribal hatred. Careless words can destroy our nation.

Regards,

NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: A Well of Life

KACHELBELA: A Well of Life: Dear Diary, Day 10 of  # 40Day_Zip_it_Challenge # A_Well_of_Life # Shut_Down_the_Motormouth A week ago I had a conversation wi...

A Well of Life

Dear Diary,

Day 10 of #40Day_Zip_it_Challenge

#A_Well_of_Life
#Shut_Down_the_Motormouth

A week ago I had a conversation with someone. One of us said, “You don’t know my heart!” Coming to think of it, you can say that but I think it is easy to know someone’s heart by the kind of words that come from the mouth. Actually you can measure a person’s character by their speech.

Come with me to Proverbs 10:11. It says, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life.” A well/fountain is the source from which something proceeds or is supplied. It is a spring of water issuing from the earth. The mouth as such, is an overflow of what’s in the heart and in effect of its flow, it refreshes and impregnates the surrounding desolateness. 

The same way a well nourishes and refreshes its surrounding so is the mouth of the righteous. The mouth of the righteous blesses and enhances lives; it carries Good News and feeds many, “The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense,” v. 21. Additionally, “From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced,” v. 31. A righteous man knows acceptable words and speaks them appropriately-at the right time and at the right place. “The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse,” v.32.

Now, RIGHTEOUSNESS is what makes the mouth a fountain/well of life; in addition, what is STORED up in the heart, “The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin,” v. 14.

You see, God cares so much about my mouth.

Is your mouth a well of life? "Help me God!"

Regards,
NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: The Great Know it All

KACHELBELA: The Great Know it All: Dear Diary, Last week was quite busy I wasn’t able to do much write up, but my 40 Day #Zip_It_Challenge continues. Here is what I learned l...

The Great Know it All

Dear Diary,

Last week was quite busy I wasn’t able to do much write up, but my 40 Day #Zip_It_Challenge continues. Here is what I learned last week on my Day 9.

#The_Great_Know_it_All

#Shut_Down_the_Motormouth

Know-it-all! Ha ha ha, I know in your mind you might have someone you consider a know-it-all. I can sense the annoyance.

Know-it-alls are those irritating human beings who behave like they are authorities on every topic. When engaging in a conversation with a know it all, you are likely to find yourself deeply frustrated and helpless. Most times know-it-alls are unteachable. I know most people can’t stand a know-it-all. Well, don’t work yourself up #BoraUhai.

Well, I’d like to introduce you to a different Know-it-All. Actually a conversation with Him is life changing not frustrating. Psalm 139:1-4 tells us about the Great Know-it-All. He knows us perfectly well. He knows when we sit down and when we rise. He perceives our thoughts from a far; He discerns our going out and laying down. He is familiar with all our ways and before a word is on our tongues He knows it completely!

How do I even begin to express this! Yaani, God not only knows my outward habits and actions, He’s familiar with my inward thoughts, motives, desires, and fears. He is acquainted with my day to day hustles and bustles. He knows the thoughts am mulling in my mind. He completely knows the words that have formed in my mind long before they leak out from my lips and/or fingers.

So what? Because the Great Know-it-All knows me well, I pray that He’ll set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips, Psalm 141:3. I will intentionally align my thoughts with God’s word for a better chance to have a wholesome and humble speech.

Regards,


NzakuNashipae