Today’s Reading : James 3: 2-12
KEY VERSE:
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” Jms 3:6
Have you ever been guilty of speaking ‘careless words’? Often feeling like you have a split personality? One minute speaking words of wisdom and grace, the next speaking ungodly, emotive words that pollute & destroy. Have you heard yourself and wondered “where on earth did that come from?”
And have you noticed how far negative words can travel; how quickly they take hold, seeking to destroy the very person they are aimed at, be it ourselves or others?
Proverbs 12:18 says: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Have you ever tried to ‘fast’ your words? Choosing to be quiet and listening to the Spirit within before opening your mouth. Trying not to be reckless with your words, but rather choosing your words more wisely?
Or are you more concerned about being understood rather than choosing to understand, and so lash out or gossip about someone in an effort to manipulate and control the situation, sometimes, just to be heard.
By choosing to understand rather than be understood, means we choose to be quiet and allow others to speak.
James 1:19 says: ”let every man be quick to hear and slow to speak.”
During a word fast, you become more sensitive to words and have a heightened awareness that enables repentance to come more quickly.
Matthew 12:36 tells us we give an account of every careless word.
This means we cannot allow our tongues to have a free for all, but rather, we must choose to give it boundaries.
Scripture tells us that we have the mind of Christ. It also says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Thus, our minds give our mouths the words we choose to speak and our hearts kick start the mouth. So we need to ensure our minds are filled with the Word of God and our hearts are kept pure and guarded. We cannot do this alone; we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to speak in ways that glorify God.
It’s not easy, but you will soon realise that when you speak from your spirit, in line with His Spirit, it sounds like the word of God, when you speak from your flesh it’s usually emotive, demanding or with a victim mentality.
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Wise words are gentle, encouraging, gracious and spoken just at the right moment.” Pr 31:26
Our tongues were actually created for praise:
• Praise brings glory to God;
• Praise builds faith;
• Praise takes our eyes of the circumstance and fixes them on Him;
• Praise elevates others;
the list goes on…
Let’s encourage one another to choose to praise, rather than choosing to pollute when we open our mouths to speak today.
“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Ps 34:1
ACTION STEPS
• If your tongue has been out of control either as a habit or in a recent stressful situation, bring it before God today, ask him to forgive you.
• What effect do you think your words are having on you and those closest to you? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you most need correction and to keep those words out of your heart and mouth tomorrow.
• Write down something specific with which you can praise or encourage each of your immediate family members or closest friends. Share that encouragement with them today.