Choose Your Words
“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.”
James 3:5
Easter was just last weekend, and we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We discussed last week in our devotional how we have the responsibility of producing good fruit that can be used for God’s Kingdom. One way we can produce good fruit is by what comes out of our mouths. Our words can be powerful when used in a way that glorifies God. But our words can also be detrimental to God’s Kingdom work if we use them in the wrong way.
The tongue is the instrument of many sins. It can be a spark of fire or a flowing spring. One small spark that comes from our tongue can do a lot of damage to those we love or even to someone we do not know. One minute we are praising God and the next we are gossiping or judging or lying. How can we claim to be Christians to the world and have such lack of self-control?
Our tongues are such a hard thing for us to control. It is a daily struggle for me. The words that come out of my mouth, the tone I use when I speak, the volume of my speech; they all matter. They all reflect how a person receives the words I am saying.
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8
“They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.” Psalm 64:3
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
James 3:10 tells us that out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. James tells us this should not be. He gives the example of salt water and fresh water. Salt water is bitter, drying, polluted and metallic tasting. It stings, chokes you, and dries you out when you drink it. That is not something you drink to quench your thirst. It is not something you come back to for seconds. Fresh water is satisfying, clean, sweet, refreshing, and energizing when you drink it. This is what we yearn for when we are thirsty. So, if we are always distributing salt water, those to whom we are witnessing will not see anything desirable in us. They will not yearn for the Christian life we have. We want others to see God in us and flowing out of us.
As we speak to our families and spread God’s love we need to be very careful as to how we use our tongue. Let’s look at some practical ways on how to do that.
Pray for God to help you control your tongue. God has the power to do anything if we surrender it to Him. He can change the habit of a loose tongue and give self-control. Believe this, my friend. Ask and you shall receive.
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” Pslam 120:2
“May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—” Pslam 12:3
“Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” Pslam 139:4
Start small. Make a goal to keep it fresh on your mind. If you feel yourself getting angry with your family or you see your old habits creeping in take a few breaths and say a quick prayer. It is amazing what God can do in a few seconds. The more we practice this the more it will become natural. If our minds are in the right place, our speech will be also.
“To humans belongs the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.” Proverbs 16:1
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
And, lastly, allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. When you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to say something to someone, don’t question it. God’s words are spoken through us. Isn’t that a wonderful feeling, knowing that God uses you to speak to others and to spread His gospel? We should not take that lightly. Be a vessel that overflows with God’s Holy water.
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2
What are your tongue failures? Where do you need God to come and intervene with your words? I have a problem taming my tongue as well. I have been known to yell at my children, I’m not always encouraging to others and I sometimes, even though I’m working on it gossip. I’ve also been known to say a few curse words under my breath. I don’t know about you, but I need to be plunged in Christ’s fresh water. I need His sweet and refreshing water to flood over me. Join me as I take these simple steps in allowing Christ to work in my life. I know without a doubt He has the power to do it.
Digging Deeper:
When is the last time a word created a forest fire for you?
Read James 3:6. What is the source of the tongue’s fire?
If our spring is producing fresh water, what is the source of our water?