OUR WORDS HAVE POWER. Let’s watch what comes out of our mouths
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Let every man be quick to listen, slow to speak … »
James 1.19
« Watch what you say! »
Our words reveal what is at the bottom of our heart.
Have you ever made this warning to anyone? Or heard it yourself?
Most of us agree that we should think more before we speak.
Why? Because our words have power. The Bible says that death and life are in the power of language (Proverbs 18.21).
Our words reveal what is at the bottom of our heart. They show the true character and the level of spiritual maturity of a person. If we pay attention to what we say, we will discover some truths about ourselves.
The Epistle of James has much to say about the words that come out of our mouths. We read in James 3.2 that he who is able to master his language and never commit language deviation is able to control his whole life. It means that what we say determines our direction in life – our words are either in agreement with or contradict the Word of God and His plan.
In verses 4 to 10, Jacques develops his argument. He compares the tongue to the bit in the mouth of a horse. This little piece of metal directs the whole animal. Similarly, the rudder of a ship, which is a large building, determines its course. The bit and the rudder are both small compared to the horse and the ship they control.
The same goes for our language. And because of this, it is she who represents our main problem in life – not finances, others, work or the world.
What Jacques wants to show in these verses is that our language determines the course of our lives. As small as it is, it can cause enormous damage. Satan often uses it to do a lot of harm. And no man is able to tame her; that’s why we need God’s help.
Enough to convince yourself that the Holy Spirit is trying to help us and direct us. This explains the uncomfortable feeling we feel when we say something we should not. When we happen to slip in our words, we feel it immediately.
The Holy Spirit will not do the right thing for us, but when the time comes, He will remind us of what is right. Let us encourage ourselves to invoke certain passages of Scripture about ourselves. Here are some of David’s prayers:
– Psalms 19.14: « Receive favorably the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart in your presence, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer ».
Psalms 141: 3 « O Lord, watch over my mouth, keep the door of my lips. »
Psalm 39: […] I will keep my ways from fearing to sin by my tongue; I will keep a brake on my mouth […].
An action for today is to monitor our language! It is more important than we think. Let’s ask God to make us responsible for the words that come out of our mouths. He alone has the power to tame your tongue!
Augustin MAKENG / Noella NDOH
