James 4:1-12 reads,
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
We have all heard the phrase, “actions speak louder than words.” While this statement has some truth to it, I think it coherently diminishes the fact that there IS indeed power in the words that we speak.
One of the many things that the Holy Spirit has been stirring in me is the importance of my tongue. Watching what I say. Watching how I speak. Watching the tone I use with others. Being more aware of the impact of the words which I use.
Whether it includes gossip, cursing, making half-hearted promises, or even telling jokes that as a society we have allowed to be told without even considering the fact that it might not actually be pleasing and honoring to God.
Take a moment and ask yourself… is how I speak portraying holiness? Is it honoring God?
If a human can control their tongue, they can control their whole body. Just like the small rudders that guide the ship, so is our tongue which guides us. Even though it seems like the mouth is such an insignificant and small part of our body, it can affect the entire body and which way it goes.
Next question. How can we begin to be proactive and change the way that we speak to lift each other up and to honor God?
Matthew 12:34 states, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
The things that we say, they come from inside of us. They come from what is in the heart. Essentially, how we speak reflects what is in the heart.
I have realized some truth to the saying “what goes in is what comes out.” If garbage goes in, then garbage is going to come out. If good goes in, then good comes out. When it comes to our speech, I think we can see a correlation to the things that we intake on a daily basis to how we speak.
Think about it.
As humans, we are constantly changing. If you’re constantly surrounded by people who are encouraging, you will most likely start encouraging others. If you’re constantly surrounded by people who curse often, you will find yourself more likely to think those words too, which results in speaking that way as well. If you’re listening to music/lectures/podcasts that uses profanity, you’ll most likely start to think more like that, too. If you watch things that are not appropriate, you will find yourself thinking about such things in your mind. Over time, we adapt and become more and more like what we surround ourselves with and with what we intake into our minds, eyes, ears, and the heart.
But that’s the thing. Despite our constant adaptation to the things around us, this should not be an excuse. James tells us, “For this ought not to be so.” Even though society is becoming more and more deceitful, making it harder to tell the difference between a believer and nonbeliever, as children of God it is our duty to be “set apart.” This includes how we verbally communicate.
Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your hearts, for from it flow the springs of life.”
This is difficult. This is hard. But, nonetheless, it is indeed important to guard your heart. How do you guard your heart? Guard means to protect against damage or harm. What we put into the heart, is what will be in the heart. It is important to be careful and watchful of what goes into the heart, mind, and soul. It is important that we begin to be more conscious of the things that we say. Otherwise, we will just become immune to not realizing the impact of our speech.
In Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew talks about the two most important commandments: to love God and to love others. Is the way that you speak exemplifying love to others? Is it showing love to God? Ask Jesus what He thinks about the things that you put into your mind. Into your heart. Is there anything He is asking that you need to change and guard your heart from?
The tongue matters. Our speech matters. With it, we bless God. With it, we curse God. With it we tear people down. With it, we uplift people. Let us be people who honor others and above all, honor God with our tongue.
Psalm 71:8, “My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.”
Soli Deo Gloria
