How often do you regret your words, as I often do? Are there people even now who are hurt or angry because of something you said?
You may say, “Oh, but that’s just the way I am! I’m always saying the wrong thing!” Yet Scripture clearly states that an abusive tongue is not under the control of the Spirit. James 3:3-10 states:
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body”.
4 Looks also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), James 3:5–10.
Jesus stresses that what you say is an accurate indicator of what is in your heart: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man” (Matthew 15:18). In other words. if our words bless and encourage others, they give evidence of a compassionate heart. If you often share the good news about Christ, you demonstrate a heart that is grateful for your own salvation. When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words?
What we say reveals what is in our heart. We tend to speak from what we know. If we consume sport we will speak about sports with confidence. If we consume TV then you would be able to speak on that subject. However, if we spend time with Jesus we will freely speak about Jesus. For “those things which proceed out of the words come from the heart.”
When Peter and John were before the rulers of Israel, they spoke with such a conviction and boldness that the scriptures state that, “. . . they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:23).
My prayer is that we spend so much time with Jesus that everyone will take notice of our words, actions, and spirit. That we would be so full with the Holy Spirit that our words would be seasoned with heavenly dust. - Pastor Danny
