Voice of the Accuser

Being in the counseling field I have heard repeatedly about the practice of using “I” statements when communicating.  I have struggled through the exercise of trying to change “you” statements into “I” statements and it seemed like a good thing to do.  However, it did not seem like something most people would put to use, especially if they were in a “heated” discussion.

Then Christ comes along and adds a new level of understanding and clarity.  The question becomes, “When I am speaking to others, do they hear the voice of Christ or the voice of Satan, The Accuser?”

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.”  (Revelation 12:10, NASB)

“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”  (Matthew 15:18-19)

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”  (Luke 11:23)

“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.  See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”  (James 3:5-6)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

When you are talking to others, whose voice do they hear?  We must bridle our tongue so that only those thoughts, those things that come from the heart of Christ are heard by others.  Change your words and your thoughts from “How could you?” to “I love you…”  Express the love that is in your heart, not the anger, bitterness or resentment.  “I would really like to see you do as well as I know you can.”  Rather than, “Why don’t you do better?”  Our spouse, our children hear enough of “The Accuser” from the world.  Let the words that come from our mouths reflect that Christ lives in our hearts.  Would Christ say these words?

Jennifer Young, LPC is a Telephone Christian Counselor.  For more information visit www.Thy-Kingdm.com