Broken Self-Talk
A Source of Self-Talk – Part 1

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Negative self-talk does not develop and grow out of a vacuum.  There are things and people that come into our lives that become some of the reasons for our broken self-talk.  In our printed key verse for today the Apostle Paul tells young Pastor Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you.”  Here is a major source of our negative talk: other people’s comments.  In Timothy’s case, some people must have been saying negative things about his youthfulness.  The Apostle Paul understood the emotional damage that might do to young Timothy, so Paul spoke to it.

As you analyze your self-talk, are you finding a large portion to be negative talk about yourself?  If so, take another look and follow the trail to where those thoughts may have come from.  In many cases, you will probably end up at a comment from a person or persons around you.

Finding the source won’t solve the problem, but we can now look for biblical principles that will solve the problems.  Promises of redemption from our past mistakes; promises that we can do all things; promises that God forgives and forgets; promises that if God is for us, it doesn’t matter who may be against us—or what they think of us!  Claim a promise for your source of brokenness.  Trust God’s Word to be true and be free!

Father, grant me your spirit of discernment that I might identify the sources of negative inner thoughts.  I will bring that brokenness to you for healing.  In Jesus’ name, amen.