Reflections, March 22nd, 2009

Reflections: Hold That Tongue!

Sunday, March 22^nd, 2009

"...But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

James 3:8

 How many times have we spoken words only to wish that we could take them back? Once a word is spoken, it is out there, either bringing comfort, or hurt. The words we sometimes so carelessly speak, may be the difference between life and death for someone. Words are powerful, and in our mouth is the deadliest of weapons. Sometimes we don't even think about what we are going to say. There are many of us who really need to start thinking before speaking. Then there are those who know exactly what they are saying, and speak to bring strife, hurt, fear, condemnation, war, hate, etcetera. Some may think words are just words, but Jesus said in Matthew 12:36,37:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

It is my fondest prayer that this week's Reflection will not only bring encouragement, but enlightenment in the will of the Father for your lives. I pray that the spirit of peace and wisdom will not only come to rest in your hearts, but in your tongues, as well. That we may be speakers of life and not of death.

Do you remember that old saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" ? What a load of crap! I remember thinking about that as a child, and for some reason, it never rang true for me. I knew how harmful words could be. I learned at a young age. A broken bone will heal. A physical wound can be tended to right away because it is seen. But wounds caused by words can be severe. It can also be deadly. For it is those wounds, often not seen by the naked eye, that cause the most pain and chaos. It is those words that can be played over and over again in one's soul and spirit. Even when the oppressor has moved on, their hurtful words can continue to play and create pain over and over again.

We must take responsibility for the words that come from our mouth. We must learn to tame the tongue, and walk in the spirit of the living God, understanding that it is in our relationship with the heavenly Father, that will help transform our thinking, thoughts, and the words we speak.

James 3:2-12 (KJV)

  2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

We call ourselves believers, followers of Christ. We say that we are in relationship with the Father, and yet have no control over our tongues. It is sad to see so many profess the Lord God, and have no authority over what comes from their mouths. Even unto the judgmental, hypocritical, and self-righteous words that is often spewed by those who say they walk after the Spirit of God. We cause wounds in people and don't even know it. We don't understand that even our speech must be tempered with love. That in our tongue lies the power to lead souls to the Kingdom of Heaven. Or, to make people feel unloved and unworthy.

Every kind of beast, bird serpent and thing of the sea is tamed and tamed of mankind; yet no man can tame the tongue (v.7). We bless God, and curse man, who is made in the likeness of God(v.9). How can, out of the same mouth, come blessings and curses? It should not be if we are children of God(v.10). If we say we are of God, then how can good and evil come from the same source? How can we say that we are walking after the Spirit of God, but speak with the mouth of Satan? For the works of the enemy is strife, divisiveness, hate and malice, and the such. God likens us to a fountain (v.11) of sweet water. Can bitter waters flow from the same place as sweet water? It is not possible. Just as it is not possible for a fig tree to yield olives.

If you are a child of God, how can you say you love the Lord, and walk after His ways and with your tongue, rip holes into the heart and soul of others? How can you say that you love the Lord, and praise Him in one breath, and in the next, curse out your neighbor, your husband, your wife, your child? What comes forth from our mouth shows who and what we are, and truly believe. We can draw people towards us or propel them. We can bring a calming, soothing word, or we can bring anxious, divisive and harmful words. The conversation of a person truly sold out for God, and walking after the Spirit of God, is seasoned with wisdom and meekness.

James 3:13-18

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Here is the gist of it all. Whatever is in your heart will find its way to your mouth. There is only so long that you can hide what you truly feel. You can fake it for a while, but eventually all truth will be revealed. Your mouth will speak of what's been hidden in your heart. And there is nothing hidden from God. If you would seek to please the Lord, and desire to see the Kingdom of God here on earth, then you will seek after the wisdom of God, and His peace. You will speak after the manner of Christ, bringing life and not death. Speaking love and not hate.

Just imagine: the tongue, so small yet so powerful, has the ability to bring comfort or harm. Imagine how many wars may not have been if it were for certain words spoken? Imagine how many lives would be saved, if we would speak that which God would have us to speak. Imagine, how many suicides may have been prevented if certain words would not have been spoken. The scenarios are endless. God is calling us higher, and to take responsibility over what passes through our lips.

Proverbs 18:20,21

"A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Whatever you choose this day to speak, will determine the course of your life. Whatever you allow to come forth from your lips will determine what your life entails. Don't be so foolish to believe that you can hide what is really in your heart or what you say to, or about others behind close doors, because God is a witness and your judge. You have the ability to seek after the truth and to speak the truth. You have the power to change lives for the better, so be wise about what you speak. Allow God to fill you with His Spirit, with His fruit. So that your words will speak well of you, and the God that you say you serve.

I hope that this week finds you mindful of the power that you possess in your mouth. Maybe there is someone who is owed an apology. Perhaps there is someone who needs a word of encouragement. You never know, you may have the word in your mouth that is the difference between life and death for someone. So be wise in your speech, and take hold of that tongue! May the spirit of peace and prosperity rest in every area of your life: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially. Be Blessed.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.