We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.
James 3:3-9 New Living Translation (NLT)
Fire controlled and managed brings heat, light and safety. Fire left uncontrolled and unmanaged brings destruction. It is the same with our words.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…
Philippians 2:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds…
Hebrews 10:24a (NIV)
Anxiety weights down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
And so blessings and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
James 3: 10-12 (NLT)
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Luke 6:45 (NLT)
While we may say today “I’m going to clean up my mouth,” Jesus says that it’s actually our hearts that need to be cleaned up first.
- If we are insecure, we may be prone to gossip.
- If we are anxious, we may be prone to negativity
- If we spend our time listening to podcasts and newscasts full of negativity, that negative spirit can begin to show up in our words
- If we focus on money and accumulating worldly possessions, our words may become self-centered instead of focused on generosity
- If we fill our minds with media full of profanity, violence, or rage, it’s no surprise if that starts coming out in how we speak
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
HOMEWORK!! 📖
- Participate with me in the ‘speak life’ challenge
- Each day, intentionally share a word of encouragement or thoughtful support with someone in your life.
- Find opportunities to build one another up in love to call out the best in others, and in doing so, use the transformational power of words for good this week.