JUST DO IT: GUARD YOUR WORDS
When we were little kids, our parents taught us to guard our words, and to be careful of what came out of our mouths. This is because words are powerful, and they can have a great impact either for good or evil. Every word we speak matters. Our words can bring life, love, clarity, and encouragement or they can tear down, confuse and destroy. In James 3:1-12, James describes the tongue as a tiny instrument that is powerful enough to bring about tremendous destruction. It is a “fire” ignited by hell itself and “a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. In fact, it is easier to control a horse, guide a large ship, and tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures than to control the tongue.
Our words have more power than we usually care to admit. If we really knew the weight our words carry, wouldn’t that change what we say? King David, recognizing just how powerful his words were, asked the Lord to set a guard over his mouth, and keep watch over the door of his lips ~ Psalm 141:3. And Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:36-37 that “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Knowing that we will be judged for our words should be enough to cause us to plead with the Lord for wisdom to guard what we say, and self control over what we do end up saying. This doesn't happen overnight, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible!
Our words are powerful. Be careful, little tongue what you say! “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” ~ James 3: 17-18
In Him,
Pastor Brian