Words are powerful. They are much more powerful than we let on. You've heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." But it's simply not true. This saying has become popular because words can hurt. We teach it to our children to help them deal with the hurt of an uncaring, even scathing comment. We teach it to them so they can cope...and heal. Words really are powerful.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. 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 3:3-6 NIV)
It takes a monumental effort to control our words. When we do, though, the benefits far outweigh the effort. Control of the mouth yields control of the whole horse. Moving the rudder steers the whole ship. When we control our words, we control our lives.
The problem is that control seems elusive. We can't seem to stop the words we want to stop, nor can we think of the right words when we want them. A thought is just a thought when it goes into our minds. We make it more when we share it with words.
Names may or may not hurt the person being attacked with words. They always, though, hurt the attacker. When we use our words to tear someone down, manipulate for our own achievement, or lie, we are the one who is defiled. We didn't take the thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. We followed through with the bad box and shared it through our words.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10 NIV)
While it may seem impossible to control our words, that doesn't change the fact that we must control our words. Our words are not only a reflection on us. They are a reflection of God. We are made in His Image. His followers are reflecting what they have learned from the one they follow. His Church is made up of members of His Body. Plus, we are all called to represent Him as His Ambassadors. Our words reflect on Him as much as they reflect on us.
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Luke 6:45 NIV)
This is why it is so important for us to work on thoughts while they are still in our minds and in our hearts. When we throw out the bad boxes and hold on to the good, there is nothing in our pool of possible words but good. Speaking good words becomes much easier. Our words are simply reflect of what we have already stored away in our hearts. No filtering or straining for "a good one" is necessary. That battle is already won.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3:11-12 NIV)
This is why it is so important to love God with your whole heart, whole mind, whole soul, and all your strength. Fight the battle for thoughts as they come into your mind and before they get stored in your heart. Then, when your words reflect what is in your heart, you won't be defiled by your own words.
Listen to your words today. What do they reflect? Do they match what is in your mind or heart? How do they reflect on God? What will you do to align your words more and more with His?
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