The Power Of Our Words

The Power Of Our Words…

Grandfather always said be careful with what you speak because words can be very powerful to gladen the heart and to hurt. The real problem is they can never be taken back…

Our words are very powerful. Apart from the redeeming work of Christ we will only do harm with our words. We need wisdom from above to use our words wisely. Our words also reveal the state of our hearts.

Time and again the Scriptures address the tongue. Did you know that James devotes an entire chapter to controlling the tongue? When we consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:34 we see why the tongue is given such extensive treatment. How we handle the tongue is a great indicator of our hearts before God.

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34

Control the tongue, control the man or as Grandfather would say, engage your brain before you engage your mouth.

James argues from greater to lesser in verse 2. If one can control their tongue then they will be able to control the rest of the body as well.

As illustrated by the horse (verse 3).

As illustrated by ships (verse 4).

Big things come from the tiny tongue.

As illustrated by a wildfire (verse 5).

Words can build or destroy so use them wisely.

Better than anything else the tongue displays the state of our hearts.

Humanity alone cannot control the tongue. If James left us here this would be a miserable message: the tongue is a deadly poison that no man can stop.

Thankfully, we aren’t left to ourselves.

The powerful tongue can be used for great good or great evil. Apart from redemption it will only tear down and destroy. Perhaps better than anything else the tongue reveals the “already” but “not yet” of Christian sanctification.

The tongue can worship or curse (verse 9-10a).

This hypocrisy should not be the case (verse 10b-12).

James is not saying that they are unbelievers because of their hypocrisy. Note that he says “my brothers”.

What he is saying that such duplicity is inconsistent with a life redeemed by Christ.

Believers ought to be growing more consistent in their speech.

We must know the source of the tongue’s redemption: Redeemed speech only comes from godly wisdom being imparted to us. Worldly wisdom will lead to a tongue infused with bitterness that will show itself through bragging and a denial of truth. Godly wisdom will lead to pure and peaceable speech.

Worldly wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic:

Shows itself in bitter envy and selfish ambition that is accompanied by bragging and a denial of the truth (v14).

It leads to “disorder and every kind of evil”.

This type of wisdom and speech is our default position.

Godly wisdom comes from above.

Characterized by all that is pure and peaceful.

It leads to peace.

This type of wisdom only comes from God’s redeeming grace. The type of wisdom and speech that governs our life displays the work of God in our hearts. Where our speech and wisdom is worldly we see that the earthly, unspiritual, and demonic is the governing authority. Where our speech and wisdom is characterized by purity and peace we see that something “from above” has taken root and is spreading through our lives.

Grandfather was correct, our speech and the type of wisdom that governs our lives displays the state of our heart.

What does your tongue reveal about your heart? Are you increasingly maturing in your speech? Or do you find your tongue a “restless evil” that you cannot control? Grandfather’s solution was to control your tongue.

James has taught us that apart from Christ, such an exhortation is impossible. Redeemed speech and wisdom only come from the work of the Redeemer. Let us cast ourselves on the mercy of our Redeemer and pray that He will continue His work of overthrowing the demonic words that occasionally flow from our mouths.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed