Are you the master of your words? Have you tamed your tongue? Do we have to control our communicative capabilities? It may be the spoken or written word, or in any other form communicated. Whatever it is, words are very powerful! From very early childhood we are trained and brought up to understand and communicate in words, which exert a very strong influence in what we do and how we live. We know that God’s words have immense power, even it can create things out of nothing. In the Bible it is written “God said” in many places (Genesis 1). Word of God is like a “lamp unto” our “feet, and a light unto” our path (Ps. 119:105). They are a constant reminder, so that we will “not sin against” God (Ps. 119:11) and “are life” itself (John 6:63), giving us life eternal. Can words uttered by human beings also be powerful? “A word fitly spoken” (Prov. 25:11) – whether it is verse, poetry, or stories can have profound bearing over our lives. Our words can soothe and reassure or poison and contaminate a person or a situation. Effect of words on lives is especially true of children. Messages they hear will steer them to either future success or failure. Children absorb words, they hear, like a dry sponge. It is interesting to note that many children even replicate the communicative style of their parents. Whether we will be judged by the words we speak during our lives? It is written “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned “(Matt. 12:37). Teachers in the church and Christian schools especially have a big responsibility. They can shape hearts and minds, whose effects may last for many years. The rippling impact go much beyond their immediate circle of influence through their hearers. The more we know about God’s word, we will be held more responsible for utilizing and imparting that knowledge. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). This is a very famous verse, we all know. God, the source of omniscience, should be the place where all true education begins and ends. Unfortunately in this modern world, as the knowledge increases, dependence on God tends to diminish. Some teachers of theology, in their eagerness to sound more credible, may utilize methods that leave little or no room for faith. As a result, faith gradually gets squeezed out of the minds and hearts of both teachers and students. They should not forget that this education is for eternity, not just for this world. Paul realized this responsibility of him, and he himself trained and ordained leaders in the churches he raised up (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5). He warned Timothy to guard God’s flock from inexperienced and unwise shepherds (1 Tim. 1:3-7; 3:2-6; 6:2-5; 2 Tim. 2:14-15). In teaching their children, parents have the heaviest responsibility. These children become the future citizens of God, and who in turn influence the people around them. Young children are impressionable, but, like trees that grow stiffer and more fixed, children resist change more as they age. Therefore catch them while they are young. How important is that we should seek God’s wisdom, that He has promised (James 1:5), so that we will be modelled akin to His ways, and thus exert a godly influence on surrounding people. Never forget, whether it is good or bad, we carry a sphere of influence around us through our words and actions. James tries to define a perfect man, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2). It is possible not to stumble in word. Thoughts lead to words, which in turn lead to actions. Words also reinforce what we think. Thus, they influence not only what we do but also what others do. The human beings are interconnected through language. Because our words have so much power, its important to bathe our thoughts in Gods Word early in the day as soon as you get up. We should ask ourselves, what feeds our thoughts and words during the course of the day, whether it is from Gods Spirit or another source? We must not underestimate the enormous changes that are possible through Gods Word (Ps. 33:6, 2 Cor. 4:6), as opposed to other worldly sources. Words are like arrows. Once it leaves our mouth, we cannot take them back. How many times in our lives, we said something, we wished we could take it back? Words are so potentially powerful, so that with a burst of just a few words, you can demoralize and devastate a person, may be for his/her entire life. On the contrary, a bunch of positive words can uplift a person for the rest of his/her life too. Think for ourselves what we should choose? Just think you have a bomb in your hand, which can explode. How carefully you will handle it? The words in your mouth, which you are going to speak, have such power – either destructive or constructive. Therefore we should deal with our words, even more careful than a dynamite. Bible talks about how a small bit and bridle could control a powerful horse. Then how a huge ship is steered by a relatively small rudder (James 3:3-5). Although tongue is only a small organ in our body, it can perform very powerful acts. A word or even a look or a gesture might seem small, but each can change a friend into an enemy or transform a bad situation into something good. A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (Prov. 15:1). Imagine a gigantic ship, like Titanic, going in the wrong direction, at full throttle or a horse galloping at full speed, but in the wrong direction. Both are destined for danger. Faster something goes, farther it gets away from its true destination. Sometimes our tongue does the same to our lives. Better stop and turn around as soon as possible. If a conversation is going from bad to worse, the sooner we stop the better. Sometimes something we say get magnified, even exaggerated, to the point that we don’t even recognize what was the original statement. That is why James says “See how great a forest a little fire kindles” (James 3:5). The power of words coming from our tongue, can be very powerful. It can “defile” everything about us (James 3:6). This should make us doubly vigilant what we speak. In the Bible “fire”, when used symbolically can mean cleansing (Isa. 4:4, Zech. 13:9). More frequently “fire” refers to destruction (Josh. 6:24; 11:9, 11; 1 Sam. 30:3; Matt. 7:19), including destruction caused by ill-advised words (Prov. 16:27, 26:21). Not only can a large fire start from a small spark, but soon this inferno can ravage and destroy with amazing speed. Similarly words can destroy friendships, marriages, and reputations before you can control it. Remember, sin originated in this world from a seemingly innocent question from Satan (Gen. 3:1), to inject doubt about God’s words in human mind. In a similar way in heaven Lucifer began to insinuate doubts concerning God’s laws among heavenly beings. Therefore it is no exaggeration to say that the tongue is “set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). It is only evil which sets our tongue on fire to say words which will only produce widespread destruction. Words once spoken are gone from us forever and we cannot fully undo the damage arising from what we have said. What we can only do is to lessen the damage and take corrective measures. We can learn lessons not to repeat the same mistake. For example, Peter wept bitterly over his denial of Christ and later demonstrated more openly the genuineness of his repentance (John 21:15-17). Although it may sound impossible when we read “no man can tame the tongue” (James 3:8), we are exhorted to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies” (Ps. 34:13). Only the Spirit of God can help us keep our words under control (Eph. 4:29-32). Jesus said “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Can both blessing and cursing coming out of the mouth of a Christian? (James 3:10). It is really disturbing. Can we watch entire week profanity filled television programs and movies, and then attend the church to hear God’s word? Can the same mouth which speaks the truth and wonderful words about Jesus and praises God, later tell a dirty joke? James asks whether a fountain can bring out both sweet and bitter water (James 3:11). Water quality depends on the source of the spring. Similarly the type of the tree determines the fruit it produces (James 3:12, Matt. 7:16-18). Similarly, if Gods Word is implanted in us, its working will be evident in our life. Pure religion is rooted in faith, which is self-authenticating, just as a pure water spring needs no proof other than the water that flows naturally from it. It is written about Jesus “Nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). About the 1, 44, 000 redeemed from earth also it is written that “in their mouth was found no deceit” (Rev. 14:5). This is something we should aim for. Be like Jesus! May God give us strength through His Holy Spirit to control our tongue! Let us speak words which not only glorify God, but uplift our fellow humans!
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 05:11:34 +0000