"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
This verse has so much truth to it! It was sent to me this morning by a dear friend as part of a daily devotional. As I read, it struck me how powerful others' words have been in my life. And, in such, how powerful MY words can be in others' lives. Not just my family either. This devotional was talking about the importance of building up our husbands through our word to and about them (which is complete truth), but let us extend this to all persons we speak about, in fact, this extends to all words we speak. Whoa. That is crazy deep. And a bit condemning in my case- not that I speak poorly or offensively often, and truthfully, more oft than not it is about myself...to put in perspective, I am dumping coals on my own head. My words, bring death or life. For someone that "loves to talk" (although I must admit that I have worked on this natural tendency, and continue to attempt a less talkative tongue) this should (and does) bring me to my knees- as it should us all, as we can only tame our tongue be giving it up to Him.
James 3 says:
"For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell….8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image…"
Yeah, so none of us are perfect. But, for those of us who have supernatural help (which all humans have access to- through Jesus Christ) we should strive for improvement. And so, I encourage myself to speak only life in all the words I speak. Our words reflect our heart, and so, instead of saying things I don't mean, I strive to 'hold my tongue' as James 1:26 points out :
"If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile."
Them there are harsh words.
Lord, help me "bridle my tongue" and even more than that, bridle my thoughts so that I might think upon things that are of worth
Phil 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
Yes, Lord, help me think on such things, and may my words reflect those thoughts.
