Malachi 3:16, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.”
Malachi presents one of the characteristics which demonstrate those who fear the Lord – they spoke to one another. What he means is that they spoke to one another about the things of God. What enters our hearts will find its way out (Prov 4:23), the people described by Malachi as fearing the Lord meditated upon His name and thus they spoke about Him. What do we speak of most – work, hobbies, complaints, gossip? As I pointed out in some recent sermons, how we use our tongues says a great deal about who we are.
We should speak often in the home about the Lord – insights we have gained from His Word; instruction from sermons; the way in which He blesses us. We should speak often in the world about the Lord – the hope we have in Christ; the hopelessness of life apart from salvation; the seriousness of sin. We should speak often to fellow Christians about the Lord – the ways in which good books have helped us; truths which have brought conviction and comfort; encouraging and challenging one another in love and good works.
If we fear God and meditate continually upon His name we will speak often about Him. It will be natural to us for what you take in will come out. Just recently I was talking to a friend about Christian things and without realising it he said something which brought freshness to an old truth. It was not something I hadn’t heard before, but in the context of the conversation and put a certain way it came with a new clarity. This is how God works. We are His vessels and when we speak truth he speaks through us.
God has given to us the gift of voices, let us meditate upon His Word filling our hearts and minds with truth that we might use our voices for His glory.