The tongue (CASM 22)

The peril of the tongue, James 3:1-12 speaks about how that tiny member boasteth great things, and it setteth on fire the course of nature. It’s a world of iniquity, an unruly evil and full of poison. These are just a few statements in those verses about the damaging power of the tongue. We can tame animals and control the direction of great ships, but the tongue no man can tame.

Our mouths have the ability to intimidate and abuse others. We can speak ungodly words filled with filth and wrath that bring people to their knees in tears. We may think it’s a notch in our belt that people are afraid of us and stand down in fear. They won’t question or confront us they yield and let us have our way. There is a time and a season for all things. When we find ourselves alone in a time of need and no one is there, let us reflect on our mouth and how we used it.

A childhood story

When I was a child in school, some of the students would visit nursing homes. After the visit, I would be so sad because some of those people didn’t have visitors. I shared my feelings with my mother, and she was very thankful for her child’s compassion for others. With a loving heart and voice, my mother said to me some of those old people were mean young people, and now no one wants to be around them. She encouraged me to be mindful of how I treat and handle people. My life was truly impacted positively by her statement.

Self-inflicted wounds

Not only can the tongue abuse others, but it can also be used as a weapon against ourselves. In secret, we speak condemning words to ourselves that we can hardly look up to God. We allow our flaws, fears, and inadequacies to substitute for God’s thoughts toward us. One way to connect and tune into Jesus is to pray Scripture back to Him. In doing that it pricks, pierces, and penetrates our hearts, and lives are transformed. God’s word is alive and that is the only thing that can combat the lies the devil has spoken in and over our lives.

Blessing and cursing / Freshwater and saltwater

This passage tells us that we are in contradiction when we uplift the Lord and turn around and curse people. People including us are made in God’s own image. The bad, negative language ought not to be. It’s not in line with how we are made. A fountain can’t bring forth freshwater and saltwater at the same time. It’s one or the other. Remember the world and Christians are watching us. If we are saying God bless you and then speaking destructive words to others or ourselves, what are we saying about our God?

It’s more than our mouths

This doesn’t only apply to what we verbalize, it applies to what we post on social media or text. We must be careful with the words we type. Using our words to attack may put us in the category of a bully. Be mindful of the posts that you share. If you’re a Christian or desiring to learn about Jesus, some posts are clearly not something Jesus himself would share. When we share these questionable posts, they overshadow the inspirational ones because the dark does not like the light. If our burden is to bring people to the Lord, stop and think if that post is going to draw them.

We share posts about God and turn right around and share posts of worldly advice and responses, and then share another post about God. God is not the author of confusion. James 4:4 says if we are a friend of the world we are an enemy of God. Love those in the world, but don’t be of the world. Who’s side are you on? On the flip side, you may not share the post but receive the post. Here’s some food for thought. To protect your heart and mind, you may need to consider removing some people from your social media and phone.

In conclusion

We are the Lord’s spokeswomen how we speak and carry ourselves is a determining factor in how people receive Jesus. God is using us as the vessel to share His good news and that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Although it’s a huge responsibility, it’s a greater honor knowing the KING is using us!!!

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