It is vital that as Christians, we learn how to watch our tongues. The tongue is a very tiny part of our bodies yet as James describes it in Verse 6, it is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body that can set the whole course of one's life on fire. So if the tongue is as dangerous as James describes it, there sure must be a way in which we can bring it under control, so as to avoid it getting us into all sorts of trouble. James however bursts that bubble in Verse 8 - "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Despite there being no human being that can tame the tongue, the Lord still expects us to be careful with it. I like the challenge posed in Verses 11 & 12 - "Can both fresh water and salty water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." Simply put, if we count ourselves Christians...no unwholesome talk should come from our mouths. By virtue of accepting what Christ did for us on the cross, we have become Christ like and heirs with Him and as such are expected to speak words which reflect the true nature of Christ. Mathew 7:16 "By their fruit you will recognize them." What are our words saying about us? If someone who doesn't know we are born again was to hear us engaging in conversations with our friends/colleagues who aren't born again, will they be able to tell there is something different about us or will our words testify contrary to our faith?
So I got thinking, why is it so important to watch our tongues?
1. It has the power of life & death - Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Learn to challenge yourself to speak life into your situations - this applies to everything around us; our families, careers, businesses, health etc. Instead of whining and complaining, get into the word and make declarations of life over that situation.In Genesis, we see how God formed the earth and all that is in it by word of mouth only. That same power He has given us to create and speak things and situations to life.
2. We will be held accountable - Mathew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Imagine having lived our lives honoring God and then getting to heaven and then God chomoas a kascroll with all those nasty words that characterized our lives just cause we were careless with our tongues. Who knows, maybe the longer your scroll - the tinier you mansion on the street of gold, No :D.
3. Keeps us from trouble - Proverbs 21:23 "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity".
I'm sure you have found yourself in situations where your mouth got you into big trouble and as you deal with the consequences you keep thinking to yourself "what would it have cost me to just keep my mouth shut!!!!!"
4.Can be used to bring healing - Proverbs 12:18 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing".
Wise words spoken at the right time can calm tempers and prevent a bad situation from deteriorating. As I read this verse, I couldn't help but think of the GSU officer who during the 2007/8 PEV was able to use his words to extinguish possible violent flare ups when he addressed some irate rioting youth. Apparently, in 1991 he was also able to effectively use words to quell inter communal violence in a part of Rift Valley. We need to learn how to choose our words wisely.
5. Guarantees good days - 1 Peter 3:10 "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."
I know we would all love to see good days while we still walk this earth, simple way to do that is live by this verse.
Let us be careful with our words. If per chance, you have faltered, there is forgiveness. I know sometimes we find ourselves in situations where nasty words unknowingly come from our mouths but the Holy Spirit will always quicken and convict us of the need to repent. Accept the forgiveness and pray that the Lord will continually help us watch what we say. Psalms 143:3" Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips{to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly}".
Finally, memorize and meditate on James 3:9-10 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE".
Call To Action
Ephesians 4:29 " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Despite there being no human being that can tame the tongue, the Lord still expects us to be careful with it. I like the challenge posed in Verses 11 & 12 - "Can both fresh water and salty water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." Simply put, if we count ourselves Christians...no unwholesome talk should come from our mouths. By virtue of accepting what Christ did for us on the cross, we have become Christ like and heirs with Him and as such are expected to speak words which reflect the true nature of Christ. Mathew 7:16 "By their fruit you will recognize them." What are our words saying about us? If someone who doesn't know we are born again was to hear us engaging in conversations with our friends/colleagues who aren't born again, will they be able to tell there is something different about us or will our words testify contrary to our faith?So I got thinking, why is it so important to watch our tongues?
1. It has the power of life & death - Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Learn to challenge yourself to speak life into your situations - this applies to everything around us; our families, careers, businesses, health etc. Instead of whining and complaining, get into the word and make declarations of life over that situation.In Genesis, we see how God formed the earth and all that is in it by word of mouth only. That same power He has given us to create and speak things and situations to life.
2. We will be held accountable - Mathew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Imagine having lived our lives honoring God and then getting to heaven and then God chomoas a kascroll with all those nasty words that characterized our lives just cause we were careless with our tongues. Who knows, maybe the longer your scroll - the tinier you mansion on the street of gold, No :D.
3. Keeps us from trouble - Proverbs 21:23 "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity".
I'm sure you have found yourself in situations where your mouth got you into big trouble and as you deal with the consequences you keep thinking to yourself "what would it have cost me to just keep my mouth shut!!!!!"
4.Can be used to bring healing - Proverbs 12:18 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing".
Wise words spoken at the right time can calm tempers and prevent a bad situation from deteriorating. As I read this verse, I couldn't help but think of the GSU officer who during the 2007/8 PEV was able to use his words to extinguish possible violent flare ups when he addressed some irate rioting youth. Apparently, in 1991 he was also able to effectively use words to quell inter communal violence in a part of Rift Valley. We need to learn how to choose our words wisely.
5. Guarantees good days - 1 Peter 3:10 "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."
I know we would all love to see good days while we still walk this earth, simple way to do that is live by this verse.
Let us be careful with our words. If per chance, you have faltered, there is forgiveness. I know sometimes we find ourselves in situations where nasty words unknowingly come from our mouths but the Holy Spirit will always quicken and convict us of the need to repent. Accept the forgiveness and pray that the Lord will continually help us watch what we say. Psalms 143:3" Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips{to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly}".
Finally, memorize and meditate on James 3:9-10 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE".
Call To Action
Ephesians 4:29 " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
- Does it edify someone?
- Will it cause hurt or bring healing?
- Will it benefit those who will hear?
- Will it leave me repenting & regretful
