Sometimes we fail to remember the power of our words. Words can build up people and words can encourage and words can heal. Our words can also tear people down and cause hurt and pain. Words do matter and they should be used carefully with thought and care. We all stumble and say dumb things. I know there have been many occasions when I have said dumb things and mean things.
We believers in Jesus Christ need to tame our tongues for the glory of God. We are representatives of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Sometimes our words are not used properly with love to draw people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Don't get me wrong. There are times when we need to speak up against things that are wrong and we must always speak the truth of who God is. We must do it in a respectful manner, however. The Lord will give us the proper words to use through His Holy Spirit if we are paying attention to Him.
James 3:1-12 says,
"1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
We need to tame our tongues and that includes all of us. Our words matter and we must remember how powerful our words are. Words can change the direction of a person's life. A child that is told by his or her parents that they are worthless and will never amount to anything will struggle throughout their lives with insecurity and the wondering if they will ever measure up.
We believers in Jesus Christ are now children of God and God tells us that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He gives us a future and a hope when we come to know God through the shred blood of Jesus Christ. God sings over us with words of hope and encouragement. God loves us and He calls us to love each other.
We need to be kind to one another and love each other as Christ Jesus loved us so very much.
Are we showing our love by the words we are using? or Are we spewing out anger and hatred and turning people away from God?
We need and we must chose our words wisely.
Lord,
We aren't perfect.
Help us to use our words to build people up and draw them into a loving relationship with You.
Tame our tongues and may our words honor You O Lord.
Speak through us by Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
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