Word of the Week - Power of the Tongue

If anyone thinks himself to be religious and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26

I was reminded today of the power of our tongue/words and wanted to share the essence of Pastor Chris’ sermon in my “Word of the week” especially given the heated environment we finds ourselves in around all of the issues of the day.  Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”.  As this scripture reminds us, we have a choice in everything we say, to speak life and build people up or speak death and tear people down.The power of our words:

• My Words determine my direction – We shape our words and then our words shape us.  If we speak life with a view towards positivity and optimism then it impacts those around us, just as negativity can poison those around us.  James likens our tongue to a horse bit and a ship rudder as it sets direction for our lives and who we become.  “Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. And look at the ships.  Even though they are so large and are driven by the strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines”. James 3:3-4
• My Words can poison and destroy  – One small word can do tremendous damage just as a small spark can start a forest fire that destroys thousands of acres of forest. “See how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!  And the tongue is a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is itself set on fire by hell”. James 3:5-6  It is wise to limit the duration of your talk, less is more because too much talk leads to sin.  We should also be careful not to speak negativity into your surroundings to poison the thoughts of those around us.
• My words reveal my heart – Words are simply an expression of what is inside our hearts and minds, so the tongue is just the means of delivery. Only God can tame our hearts and tongue.  The tongue is considered the wellspring of our hearts.  “But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.  Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  These things, by brothers, should not be this way (for as Christians we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear God and profound respect for His precepts)”. James 3:9-10

 How do we control our tongue?

• Allow God to change our hearts –  Let God reign as Lord and submit to His ways so you can know and experience Him and produce fruit of His spirit. “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.  I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.  No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, Know the Lord, because they will all know (experience) me, from the least to the greatest of them” Hebrews 8:10-12
• Put a filter on what I allow to enter my mind and heart –  We are products of our environment and what we consume.  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23   If we allow ourselves to consume garbage in the form of media or hanging out with the wrong people, then our hearts will be polluted and our words will not be edifying. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:35
• Make a decision each day to speak words of life – If we know the Lord and eat of the vine of Christ daily then we will have the capacity to speak life and live life to our full potential.  We still must consciously decide to speak words of life that include:
  • Words of Affection -  like I love you, you are a special friend!!!!!!!
  • Words of Praise and Affirmation - like great job, way to go, you are a winner!!!
  • Words of Encouragement - like you have what it takes, you are really talented, I enjoy spending time with you!!!!
  • Words of Healing – like you will get better, you will overcome, you will find health again and be better than before!!!
  • Words of Faith – like reminding people of who they are in Christ, you are a child of God, you are a new person in Christ!!!

^“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”. Ephesians 4:29Have a great week speaking words of life….-Duane