A Holy Admonition

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:39-45).

Mary ran to Elizabeth where she was met with an amazing confirmation of the promise from Gabriel. As the words of Mary’s greeting entered Elizabeth’s ears the baby leaped in her womb. This confirms the existence of two distinct lives in pregnancy and the intimate connection between a mother and her yet-to-be-born infant. God knew all about the fragile condition of Mary’s heart. He was aware of the confrontation of doubt and faith that was raging in her soul. As Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit a wonderful thing happened. Her words were transformed and with a loud cry she spoke a powerful blessing into the heart and soul of the very humble young mother, Mary. Hungry disciples learn here about how the Holy Spirit can transform our speech into a holy admonition.

We often forget about the power of our words. We are created in the image of God, and He created everything through the power of His spoken word… “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). We are the only creatures like Him with the ability to reason, communicate, and create ideas that might be turned into things. The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to admonish us that our words have the power of life and death… “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21). The Teacher moved James to teach us that our words have power to bless or to curse… “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Jesus taught that our words are a sure reflection of what is in control of our heart… “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). So, one sure way to keep our words God-pleasing… “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14), and life-blessing… “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29), is to keep our heart filled with God’s Spirit… “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit can empower our words to become a holy admonition.

Elizabeth’s words were an acknowledgement of Mary’s call. She reminded Mary that she was chosen and blessed by God. Spirit empowered words acknowledge that others are created and called to special works by Christ… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Elizabeth’s words were an anointing of Mary’s baby. She touched both mother and child with a confirmation that Mary was the mother of the Lord. Spirit empowered words confirm that Christ died so all believers might be anointed by His Spirit… “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Elizabeth’s words were an affirmation of Mary’s faith. She recognized that Mary would be blessed with all she would need for the fulfillment of God’s promise as her faith grew. May our words affirm the faith of others… “That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:12).

As we grow up into Christ His Spirit fills our heart and He transforms our speech into…

A Holy Admonition.