Oh, my friends! I am sorry for the delayed post. After church on Sunday I spent the afternoon with my parents and then the three of us went to my grandparents’ house to play hand & foot (probably our favorite card game). Once I got home, I was ready to wind down! But let me tell ya. Sunday’s sermon was a good one! I always think it’s so cool when I hear a sermon that ties in with what I’ve studied on my own during the week. God is always at work, preparing our hearts for what we need to hear!

Follow along with these verses…

• Proverbs 16:27-29
• Mark 7:6-7
• James 3:1-18
• Matthew 12:33-37
• 1 Peter 2:1-12
• 2 Timothy 2:15-16
• Psalm 141:3

You know the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”? Well… I’m sure I can’t be the only one to experience that that just isn’t true. Words are powerful. Words can build people up or tear them down. In his sermon, my pastor noted that there are a few things we have to keep in mind with our words: what we say, how we say it, and why we say it. Our words greatly influence those who hear. They can cause people to adjust their own point of view: the way they view themselves, the way they view you, the way they view other people, and the way they view God.

Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24 NLT

Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

Proverbs 16:27-29 NLT

Ask yourself: how do I want my words to impact others? Do I want my words to be sweet to someone’s soul, or do I want to start a destructive blaze and lead others down a harmful path? I’ve had all kinds of words directed at me. However, the unkind words tend to live longer in my mind than the kind ones. I’m sure you can relate. Our brains are remarkable; they can recall an insult or harsh criticism we’ve heard long after the words exited the speaker’s mouth. This is why words are so dangerous! The Bible calls the tongue a “flame of 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. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James 3:6-10 NLT

This is a pretty strong teaching by God through James! It kinda makes me not want to speak ever again. If I can never tame my tongue, I am always at risk of uttering a hurtful, bitter, or worthless word. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus says that we will be held accountable for our words when it comes time for judgement – they will either testify for us or against us. What do we want our words to testify about us when we’re standing in front of our Savior? Now here’s another mind-blowing fact. We are always standing in front of our Savior. God is omnipresent, which means that He is always everywhere. Time and space don’t apply to Him. In a simpler way of stating this – Jesus is always right next to us. Would we say or do some of the things we’ve said and done if we took the time to realize that Jesus was right there watching and listening? Uhhhh I don’t know about you, but that’s a no from me. This is something I’ve really got to get better at remembering.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

1 Peter 2:1 NLT

Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This talk spreads like cancer…

1 Timothy 2:15b-17a NLT

We are here on this earth to live out our lives for God and make Him known! God can use our tongues – that powerful, unpredictable part of our bodies that allow words to spew out of our mouths the moment our brains think them up – for HIS GLORY! The only way our tongues can be tamed is by His divine intervention. This should be our constant prayer:

Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.

Psalm 141:3 NLT

We always need to seek God’s truth, because then our minds and hearts will be filled with His wisdom! James 3:13-18 is pretty clear that we who have been enlightened by God’s wisdom ought to live it out and share it with others. We should demonstrate God’s love by being kind to people and sharing the truth with them. We shouldn’t be stirring up controversy or sparking fires of anger, but rather be peaceful and provide godly correction in a humble and thoughtful manner. Let’s let God’s wisdom guide our speech and actions.