While watching the political debates and the commentaries on them, the Lord reminded me that words spoken or acted upon hold great power. The words spoken by the candidates will cause voters to be convinced to vote for them…or not. I’m not here to make any political statements…I respect the fact that we all have opinions…period. So, the reason I was fascinated by God’s statement was because it convicted me even more about the importance of our words. We hear millions of them everyday. They shape and mold our personalities. They influence our perspectives. They persuade us to live our lives based on which words have impacted us. Even our Christian walk is built on the words we listen to…recall “So then, Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10: 17 – King James Version)
The Bible has many references regarding the mouth and the words that come out of it.
James writes, in chapter three of his biblical instruction, these vital truths about the tongue:

James 3:2-13 (ERV-Easy-to-Read Version);
“We all make many mistakes. A person who never said anything wrong would be perfect. Someone like that would be able to control their whole body too.
We put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us. With these bits we can control their whole body.
It is the same with ships. A ship is very big, and it is pushed by strong winds. But a very small rudder controls that big ship. And the one who controls the rudder decides where the ship will go. It goes where he wants it to go.
It is the same with our tongue. It is a small part of the body, but it can boast about doing great things. A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame.
The tongue is like a fire. It is a world of evil among the parts of our body. It spreads its evil through our whole body and starts a fire that influences all of life. It gets this fire from hell.
Humans have control over every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have controlled all these things.
But no one can control the tongue. It is wild and evil, full of deadly poison.
We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people who were created in God’s likeness.
These praises and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.
Do good water and bad water flow from the same spring? Of course not.
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree make olives? Or can a grapevine make figs? No, and a well full of salty water cannot give good water.
Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? Then you should show your wisdom by living right. You should do what is good with humility. A wise person does not boast.”

Words heal, but can hurt. Words encourage, but can enrage. Words build confidence, but can cause conflict. Words can nurture, but can be the source of negative thoughts. So, my friends…compatriots in truth, sojourners in faith…let us watch what we say to and about ourselves…we are what we say we are.
Equally important…let’s watch what we say to others…build up loved ones, co-workers, all those we influence. Tearing others down with our words, whether you speak them audibly or show your negative thoughts by treating them badly…only serves to make your life unproductive. No good comes from negative words or attitudes; only lack, disappointment and defeat.
Here’s a little ditty I wrote to remind me to speak life as much as possible; perhaps it will remind you, too:

The Tongue by VisionWriter1

The tongue speaks dark and, ominously, it deems;
Spewing and tarnishing hopefuls and dreams.
It labors to skin its listener alive,
While dashing the faith upon which he thrives.
To harness this beast, One must need be strong,
For taming its power, One must practice long…
The Word of the Lord is its only King,
And will surely give it new songs to sing.
Take heed of this ditty; before it you unleash,
That little, but dangerous thing you must teach.
Bring forth blessings not curses, pleasant and good,
Be a light in the lives of others, as you should.
Remember and take heed of James 3: verses 8 through 13;
And speak life, peace, prosperity, and love over men.
(…And women, too, of course!)

Until next post…Blessings,
VW1