What comes from your mouth? The words coming from our mouths reflect what is in our hearts. They display some of our character. There is no one who can escape this raw reality. Our ability to keep our tongue in check equals our level of maturity as well as self-control, whether you are a believer or not! Consider the following Scriptures and allow them to inspect the true condition of your heart.
Life and death
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. (Prov.18:21, Amp). There is no escape from the reality of our words either building up or tearing down. Not emotionally only, but also spiritually. Over time our words even impact our bodily health! Do not repay sharp words with the same. Do not repay anger with anger. Just step back and let such words fall to the ground. You need not entertain harmful words for one moment. If you are the one sowing words in this manner, ask the Holy Spirit to change your heart. To show you the root of bitterness or hurt causing you to act and speak like this. Pray for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you and the Holy Spirit to transform your heart.
Encourage others
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. (Isaiah 50:4a). Intentionally choose what you say to people and about people. Ask forgiveness the very moment you find yourself transgressing in this matter. As believers we have the continual instruction of the Holy Spirit within, with which to encourage others who are weary. Ask Him to make you aware of any negative talk coming from your own mouth, and also to give you a word in season to those who are discouraged, especially your family members, colleagues, pastor etc.
We defile OURSELVES daily by what we say.
Your words defile you
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. (James 3:6-7). It is a shocking thought to think we defile OURSELVES daily by what we say, and that from the pit of hell! Not the devil. Not evil people, witches, satanists or witchdoctors. We ourselves! When? When we speak down to others, always wanting to tell our story too, always explaining why you are right and others are wrong, feeling you would have done better than someone else e.g. at preaching, singing, doing a task. At times we even imply that we are more clever than the scientists, doctors, President and rugby coach! These are signs of arrogance, pride, and sin. If ever we contemplate whether or not we sin in a day – our words certainly qualify as one aspect in need of repentance. Make it a habit, every morning as you kneel to pray, to ask the Holy Spirit how your words may have hurt HIM the day before. Repent. Without making excuses. Ask for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you.
Blessing and cursing
…With it (our tongues) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:8-10). There is no excuse for a believer to entertain such behaviour. We cannot point a finger at what others do all the time. At some point, we ourselves must come to the place of kneeling down and admitting our own sin for what it is. Weeping over our sin in deep desire to change. Then, the blood of Jesus will cleanse us and the Holy Spirit will renew our minds to have the mind of Christ.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them…”
Bless by forgiving
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (John 20:23). Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Imagine for a moment if Jesus had not forgiven His persecutors out loud! Then the Cross would have been rendered powerless and without effect! And all of us would have been eternally condemned. It is not worth suffering eternal judgment, because of unforgiveness. Make a decision today to forgive anyone anything they may have done against you – like Jesus did. It is the ‘Jesus-thing to do.’ Ask Him to heal all your pain and suffering. He is able to do that.
