God has given us something very powerful and we need to know how to use it.
The Bible is full of exhortations about the tongue. The more significant meaning is the use of our speech. What we say continually is important. Look at this scripture-Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) -21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Another translation- Proverbs 18:21 (PassionNTPsa) -21 Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences. They say, “We are hung by the tongue.”
I used to have horrible self-talk. I would say things like, “I’m a failure, I’m stupid, or I’ll never succeed. It’s funny I would say these things when I was depressed, or something bad happened to me, or when I missed the mark and sinned. Even when someone was very critical of me. Folks this was condemnation from the enemy. We have to ask ourselves what will overcome this. The answer is understanding God’s love, grace, and the power of the tongue. Sometimes we think what we say doesn’t matter or I was only kidding. The book of James hits hard on this subject. He doesn’t fool around. Your words matter! Let’s first look at Luke 6:45 (NKJV) -45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Also in Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) -23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. The Word “issues” in Hebrew means boundaries. We can set limits on our lives by how we think and speak. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 (NKJV) -37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.” Our boundaries can be a mindset, certain values, or a belief system that we hold to. In Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….” What do you think about yourself? How do you see yourself from day to day? Do you see yourself in Christ or do you see yourself as a disappointment to people or God, Do you see yourself as a failure or do you always feel rejected?
In the book of James, we read James 3:2 (NKJV) -2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect ( complete ) man, able also to bridle the whole body. If we learn to control our speech, and the tongue, then we can control the rest of our personalities and our actions will correspond. We are a product of our thoughts, imagination, and our speech whether we like it or not. I can’t tell you enough how many times I have put my foot in my mouth. I’m just being honest. There were times when I said the wrong things to my wife and our kids. Which I greatly regretted and repented soon after. I’m sure there were times when you said,” I wish I could take back what I said.” Words are powerful. It can change a life, change a nation. Wars are started over words! Words can bring peace and reconciliation. One of the most powerful things to say is, ” I forgive you.”
Look at James 3:3-5 (NKJV) -3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look 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! I want to look at verse 4. Your rudder in life is your tongue. Your tongue can chart the course of your life. Even in adversity, and hard times your tongue can make you or break you. I find this encouraging because I can determine to a degree my destiny. We have to learn to say the same thing God says about our situations. God’s Word is the direction we need to arrive at our God-given destinations. The pressures of life like a strong wind do not have to determine your outcome in life. You have a rudder to stir you in the right direction, even if it’s in the face of a storm.
James 3:5-6 (KJV) -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. Many times a harsh word spoken is worse than a punch in the face. A punch in the face hurts for a moment but harsh words can damage us emotionally for a lifetime. The course of nature speaks of a wheel that starts the moment you are born to the end of your life. Your tongue is always along for the ride as you roll through life. The tongue is a little spark that can ignite a forest fire. ” Someone said, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Thanks, smokey that’s good advice. How many families are ripped apart by strife, lies, gossip, slander, and evil words? People, who are full of unforgiveness and bitterness? Yet we can bring reconciliation, unity, encouragement, and comfort with our words. Look at Proverbs 12:18 (NKJV) -18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Another translation is found in– Proverbs 12:18 (PassionNTPsa) -18 Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal. In Proverbs 15:4 (NKJV) -4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 (PassionNTPsa) -4 When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes. Many times all we hear from people is what we’re doing wrong! All we hear is the negative.
It goes beyond constructive criticism. I love this verse in Proverbs 21:23 (PassionNTPsa) -23 Watch your words and be careful what you say, and you’ll be surprised how few troubles you’ll have. It is just as important to say the right things as to guard your tongue. God wants us to confess the right things from a believing heart. We need to be imitators of God as dear children-( Eph. 5:1 ). God knows how to talk right! So should we! Our words carry creative power, in other words, we can change the atmosphere around us with our words. Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) -1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Do you know that God inhabits the praises of His people- ( Psalm 22:3 ). Our words expressed in praise and worship cause us to enter His presence. It’s an atmosphere of His presence. Full of truth, love, grace, and peace.
In closing, we need to learn to speak life. We need to say what God says about us rather than what the culture, negative people, or the Devil says to us. Remember He is the accuser of the brethren-( Revelation 12:10 ). In your daily life be an encouragement to those around you. Bring Jesus into your situation through your words. We need to learn to prophesy, to speak forth God’s Word over our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a powerful principle.
In Ezekiel chapter 37:1-4– we find the prophet of God under God’s direction telling him to speak to the dry bones in the valley. Ezekiel was to prophesy and say what God was telling him to say. We see that flesh came upon those bones, the breath of life came into their being as he prophesied. This spoke of God’s people in exile and that one day in the future the restoration and return of Israel to their homeland would happen. It started with saying something. It was a decree, a speaking forth of what God has determined. We may have dry situations in life, such as a dry marriage, or our relationship with God is dry, or maybe we are dry financially and we need God’s life in those situations. The road from barrenness to fruitfulness starts with our words! Do you believe that? Are you speaking to your mountains in life or are you complaining about them? ( Mark 11:23-24 ). God’s Word is like a two-edged sword quick and powerful when spoken in faith! ( Hebrews 4:12 ). So take a check-up from the neck up and see what you have been saying lately about yourself, about God, and others. Don’t let anyone say that you don’t have a right to say anything about your life! It’s your ship and it’s your rudder!
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda
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