Trust and Obey

Many times, in our culture and in our own life, we think that we are to read scripture and think of ways to apply it. Sometimes, we try to come up with crafty ideas and methods. I am starting to see in my life all I have to do is trust and obey. The first part of the song is
"Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey."

The Christian life really is that simple - TRUST AND OBEY. When we trust and obey His Word, we will be women who areself controlled and trustworthy. We will speak wholesome talk and have gentle answers upon our lips.

SCRIPTURE:~Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
~1 Ti 3:11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
... ~Prov 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

OBSERVATION:
1. unwholesome as I observe it in context seems to say not whole. Merriam Webster defines unwholesome as: detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being : unhealthy  or corrupt, unsound.
2. We should speak what is: 1. helpful for building others up and 2. be a benefit to those listening.
3. We should be self controlled in what we speak and do.
4. We are to speak in a gentle manner even when we disagree with what others are saying.

APPLICATION: 
There area of unwholsome talk I struggle with is being critical of my house. I constantly say " I just cleaned that.", "It is messy" and "I am tired of cleaning". If my house is messy, I feel organized and "out of control." At times, I have trouble concentrating if my house is a mess. There are times, I am trying to put away things as I use them, play with my son and do work around the house and things still get messy. Therefore there is no condemnation to those of us in Christ Jesus. However, there are times where my messy house reflects my "unwholesome" heart. There are times where my mind and heart are scattered in many directions. I make up lists (in my head and in writing) that I think I have to accomplish.  If my motive is anything other than faith in Jesus Christ and his sufficiency, things start to unravel.  When I start thinking "oh I didn't get enough time in the WORD", then I know I have started to believe a suble lie. The lie is that I am having time in the WORD because I want my day to go well. I want my son to behave well and grow up to be like Jesus. I want a "perfect" marriage. I want to learn, share, grow and pass on the blessings. Whatever it is, the focus gets on myself rather than SEEKING HIM FIRST AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. The breastplate of righteousness I wear is not what I do that covers and guards my heart. The breastplate of righteousness  is that what Christ did on the cross make me right before God. Jesus is our mediator and His righteousness guards my heart. When our heart is covered by his righteousness, then we can be self controlled in the way we behave and the words we speak. Our heart is whole when protected by Jesus not our own doing. Obedience is different than doing.

PRAYER:  Father God, many times what you want most if for us to rest and trust in you. When I need to rest and trust in you is when I want to do the most. My inadequacies make me want to "sew fig leaves" to put on rather than rest and trust in you. Please forgive me for applying the word to MY life rather than just listen to your WORDS and doing what you say. Lord, you are life. Thank you for guarding my heart in Christ Jesus and that I am right based on what you did. I love you Lord and may the words of my heart be pleasing to you.