“The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use” According to -Washington Irving “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” –Proverbs 18:21 The Power of Words Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words are powerful weapons that can inspire or destroy someone. I have been reflecting on this scripture from Proverbs 18:21 since this week and it has come up in several other places in my daily interactions; the Lord is always speaking, we just have to pay attention. We always have a choice when we speak. God has given us the incredible freedom to choose our words. Some words bring darkness and despair, and are rooted in fear. Some words bring light and hope, and are rooted in love. We have words that are never released, and words that should never have been released. We have words that build up, and ones that tear down. I believe that when we speak something out of a place of fear, fear is “manifested” into our environment–that is, fear is spoken into existence. The same goes with love, when we speak life and love… these things are made manifest. Scripture has a lot to say about our words! “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity” – Prov. 21:23 “No human being can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring” -James 3:8-12 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” -Matt 12:33-34 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” –Prov. 12:18 “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” -Psalm 141:3 I hope these scriptures are as convicting to you as they are for me! Conviction is a declaration of guilt for behaving in a way that doesn’t align with God’s commands. It is followed by immediate forgiveness, by way of receiving His grace, and then turned into action to prevent that behavior from being repeated in the future. What about the James 3? Scripture says that “No human being can tame the tongue?” What’s the point of trying if it can’t be done? Matthew 19:26 says “Jesus looked at them intently and said, humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” The way to tame your tongue is by partnering with the Holy Spirit; these problems cannot be solved or transformed by mere willpower. I have personally been learning so much about this, even in the past 24 hours. I have felt conviction about my words and have been seeking the Lord about what to do in order to speak in a way that brings light. HOW CAN I LEARN TO CONTROL MY TONGUE? (a) Taking responsibility for your words You probably know the pain of regretting words you have spoken: words of pride, dishonesty, envy, gossip, or anger. Although you can seek to restore bruised relationships through repentance and forgiveness, spoken words can never be retrieved. Scripture warns, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). (b) Consider the following keys for taming the tongue: With human efforts alone, no one can tame his tongue. “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Only by the grace of God in your life can you seek to control your speech. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). You face new circumstances and new conversations every day. Regularly acknowledging your need for discernment and God’s grace helps you remain conscious of your words. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”(II Timothy 3:16–17). By studying Scriptures about the tongue, you will gain insights into the power of your words. Memorizing and meditating on these verses will strengthen your resolve to speak with grace. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). God desires that you speak the truth (see Ephesians 4:25 and Psalm 15:2) and that you keep your word (see Matthew 5:37). He will hold you responsible for what you speak. “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances can observe the effects of your words and attitudes. Ask them about your speech patterns and evaluate the observations they share. (See Proverbs 27:6, 17.) You need to fulfill the promises you have made, even when doing so requires unforeseen sacrifice. God will bless the one who “sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not” (Psalm 15:4). Jesus said, “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay” (Matthew 5:37). “For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man” (James 3:2). Finally, when you speak words that you shouldn’t have spoken, seek forgiveness. “Let all evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.
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HOW TO TAME YOUR TONGUE
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