Words = Character

Psychologists and self-help gurus tell us that we can’t help what we think, that thoughts just come to us. While it is true that thoughts just come to us, it is also true that once they have come to us we have power to savor them or cast them out. The words that pop into our heads are not cement that can’t be moved, but more like feathers that can be blown out with a little effort.

Repeatedly the scriptures warn us about the words we think and the words we speak. Here are a few:

 Matthew 15:18 

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth 

come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

Mosiah 4:30

“If you do not watch yourselves, 

and your thoughts, 

and your words,

 and your deeds, 

and observe the commandments of God . . .   

 even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.” 

Matthew 12: 36-37

“But I say unto you,

 That every idle word that men shall speak, 

they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, 

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Learning to control the words we think and speak is important. Words form thoughts. Thoughts determine behavior. Behavior becomes habit. Habit forms our character. That means character development all begins with the words we choose to think. So think good words today! (And always!)