Is it important to watch what we say?!

As a believer in Christ, you should know the answer to this question….

James puts the power of the tongue in well analogies as he explains that it’s like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder of a ship, able to steer you one way or another. Or like a flame to a forest fire, with one word it can spread fast… {James 3:1-11}

Do you ever feel affected by what someone says to you?! Does it hurt you or bother you?! If Proverbs 16:24 says that “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Then what are harsh words?! Thankfully, King David gives us an answer in Proverbs 15:1b saying “a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Often times our reaction can determine how people talk to us. If you have any young siblings, you understand the fact that for some odd reason you being annoyed is the funniest thing in the world. Ever try acting like that announce doesn’t bother you?! Oddly, they just will stop pestering you because it’s no fun now that you’re not mad. Now as odd as this may seem, it’s like that with us as adults too. If we react with kindness and a soft spirit instead of anger and rage, those people affecting you will start being affected by you. Remember Proverbs 15:1?! It actually starts with “A gentle answer turns away wrath”….

Check out this heart hitting passage Paul so kindly shares with us in Romans 12:19-21:

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” What does this passage mean to you?!

What good does it do to get mad?! Will that anger help you solve the problem?! Or will it just stir up in your hot-headed bones and infect the environment with your rising temperature…?! If vengeance is God's, then what right do we have to take The Judges place?! If you can be kind to them in return, how would you feel about transforming their lives?!

If vengeance is Gods, then what right do we have to take The Judges place?!

Do not let empty words come out of your mouth. No word is unheard by The Father, and that includes foolish talk. Why yes of course He forgave your past sins and will continue to do so as long as your heart is in the right place and its sincere!! But do you really want to feel that guilt from the Holy Spirit convicting you of cursing?! Do you really want to make your Heavenly Father sad you treated a brother that way?! If you’re not convicted, then we need to pray for you… do you even know why it is called “cursing”?! People… why don’t you do your homework before taking the test?!

God pressed this verse on my heart as He has been teaching me to speak what is true and pure “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.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” {Ephesians 4:29-32}

Ever pass by something that should have been fixed?! Or maybe a piece of trash on the floor and you just thought to yourself “Eh, someone else will see it and deal with it. It doesn’t need to be me.” Then we wonder why God is not using us for something bigger. How then, can your Creator trust you with bigger tasks if you can’t even handle the small tasks?! “Well if I do things in secret then no one will know how good of a person I am.” I bet thats what you thought when you sinned too, then guilt arose inside of you. The guilt of the Holy Spirit. If He convicts us of what we’ve done in secret, will He not bless the good done in quite too?! So are we just gonna wash what Jesus says in Matthew 6 because all the sudden that doesn't apply to us now days?! "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." {Matthew 6:5-6}

How then, can your Creator trust you with bigger tasks if you can’t even handle the small tasks?!

What does it look like to do something without grumbling?! It is to not complain, to do it anyway with our eyes fixed on Christ, to accomplish the task without the mindset that this will look good on your resume of life, (because news flash: God doesn't read your resume!!). He is looking for open hearts, obedient souls, willing hands, and humility in the flesh. Is it not a prize to look forward to that we will shine among people like stars in the sky as we hold firm to the Word of Life?! (Check out the passage below) I don't know about you, but I think the stars are gorgeous and the fact is, they light up the darkness...

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:14-18)

I love the verse in Proverbs 17:28 that states “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” I mean, I would rather keep quiet and be thought wise than to blabber and be perceived as a fool. In the verse right before that, it says “the one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” I think that sums up this whole bible study right there.

The tongue has power of life and death. Choose now how you want to speak. “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. Can both fresh water and salt 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.” (John 3:9-12)

If I haven’t changed your mind yet on controlling you mouth, maybe these words from Jesus Himself in Matthew 12:36-37 would help “ But I tell you that everyone will have to give 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.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Highest King and the only one worthy of all praise, help me to control what I say. Remove any stumbling blocks in front of me that may hinder the conviction of the Holy Spirit from aligning my words with Your heart. I surrender everything to you, including my mouth. Teach me to speak only what is true and uplifting, pure and righteous. Keep my mouth away from speaking death and evil, and pour into me your Words of Life so that I may shine Your Light. Forgive me of the foolish talk I’ve ever said, forgive ever empty word that has been spoken out of me… clean me and make me new, so that I can be a reflection of only You!! In Jesus’ might matchless name, amen!!

Love ya Lord!!