The Telephone Game — Gossip vs. Instruction - Friday
Today’s Verse
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (NIV)
This is why all of this matters. Why this entire series matters.
God has wired words with power: “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Over the past four weeks, we’ve explored how our words can shape reality—not just for ourselves but for those around us. And as we wrap up this series, we’ve learned that we should use our words to:
Spread and share the good news of Jesus
Praise God for who He is
Encourage our brothers and sisters
Back up our words with our actions—live it out
God’s world is set up with laws and principles. Just as gravity is an unseen force that affects everything, spiritual realities are just as real. Whether we recognize them or not, they shape our lives and relationships. Words are no exception. They carry weight, create momentum, and ripple outward beyond what we can see. The way we speak—and the way we back up our speech with our lives—has a lasting effect on the people around us.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy highlights this ripple effect: when we watch both our life and doctrine closely, our faithfulness can point others toward Jesus.
Living our faith means more than church attendance or knowing Christian lingo. It’s choosing kindness when it’s inconvenient, generosity when it costs, and integrity when no one is watching.
To sum it all up: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
REFLECTION
Make this your prayer: Lord, make my life a testimony of Your truth. Help me use my words wisely—to encourage, to praise, and to share Your love. And let my life back up my words. Align my heart, my speech, and my actions so that I reflect You in every way. Let the impact of my words and my life be a ripple that draws others to You. Amen.
