TAKING CARE WITH OUR WORDS

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A gentle tongue is a tree of life. – Proverbs 15:4 –

Words are powerful. They can be tools of blessings or weapons of destruction. Words can impart life to the hearer… or incur unnecessary hurt, sorrow or discord. If we are not careful with our words, we can cause irreparable damage.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. – Colossians 4:6

Jesus manifested grace. Grace emanated from His heart of love… and was displayed in His words and actions to all who crossed His path. He recognized what people needed to hear. His Spirit-led words spoke life, healing and joy to a lost world.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. – James 3:9

James, the brother of Jesus, shares keen insights into the importance of our words… and the havoc that wrong ones can create. Idle words of gossip, ill will, derision. Thoughtless words that criticize, judge or disparage. He likens the tongue to the rudder of a large ship. Though small, it steers the ship’s course wherever the pilot directs. So with our tongues… the words we speak steer the direction of our lives (James 3:4-5).

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. – James 3:5-6

James similarly compares the tongue to a spark that can set a forest on fire. Careless or spiteful words may appear insignificant, yet can influence and impact lives… even causing great devastation to relationships. They can have far-reaching effects and long-lasting consequences.

When we concede to the enemy’s influence or our negative emotions, our subsequent words can cause conflict, suffering or division. Yet when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us… when we exhibit the Spirit’s fruit of self-control, our words will promote peace and harmony.

I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. – Matthew 12:36-37

Jesus warns of the eternal ramifications of our words. This verse is a wake-up call for the careless, the complacent, the cavalier. Our idle words spoken without forethought can have serious spiritual consequences. For they are an expression of our character and an indication of the depth of our faith.

Christians are supernaturally transformed from the inside-out. Our fleshly nature was overwritten at salvation by our new nature. Our lives are to glorify God and align with His Word. Our spirits are to display holiness and righteousness. When our faith is deeply rooted in Christ, our words will be life-giving.

What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. – Matthew 15:18

Jesus shares that the source of our words is the heart. Biblically, the heart refers to the inner self… the mind, will and emotions. Like the helm of a ship, it is the control center… where thoughts are generated, desires are managed and decisions are made.

As believers, we are to do all from a heart of love. Love is to be the guiding principle of our lives. Through repentance, our hearts are kept pure, holy. Our Spirit-led words emanating from our hearts will mirror those of our Savior… words that reflect His unending grace.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. – James 3:17

Solomon, son of King David, was the wisest man who ever lived, with spiritual wisdom bestowed upon him by the Almighty. His authored Book of Proverbs reflects his discernment of the human soul. He understood the power of wise, heartfelt words. Let us look at key proverbs to determine ways to tame the tongue…

Taming the Tongue Through the Proverbs

  • The tongue has the power of life and death. – Proverbs 18:21

†   Speak words that are life-affirming, not life-destroying

  • The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint. – Proverbs 17:27

†   Rely on Spirit-led wisdom and discernment in your words

  • Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. – Proverbs 21:23

†   Exhibit self-control with your speech, leaving idle words unspoken

  • Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. – Proverbs 34:13

†   Be vigilant and intentional, using words that are true and right

  • The tongue of the wise brings healing. – Proverbs 12:18

†   Express mercy and compassion with your words

  • How good is a timely word! – Proverbs 15:23

†   Bring joy to needy hearts through loving words

  • Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25

†   Share words that are edifying, encouraging and uplifting

  • Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. – Proverbs 16:24

†   Season your words with grace and winsomeness

  • The prudent overlook an insult. – Proverbs 12:16

†   Rise above the desire to retaliate through the Spirit’s power

  • A gentle answer turns away wrath. – Proverbs 15:1

†   Be a peacemaker with your words, not a peace-taker

  • The heart of the righteous weighs its answers. – Proverbs 15:28

†   Offer words that are positive, sincere, caring and respectful

†   Eternal Takeaway – Spirit-led words from the heart speak life to a lost world   †