Even though it rarely crosses our mind, there is always someone listening to what we are saying. Words are not just meaningless sounds but were created to communicate and, most importantly, to relay God’s thoughts. They contain the power to influence and persuade the listener, which means those who speak are being held accountable for their intentions. Words that are presented from a negative attitude can cause much damage, while words spoken from a heavenly influence are filled with life and can bring hope, faith and encouragement.
Billy HollandA wonderful reminder about how we are to guard our communication is recorded in Philippians 4:8, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” We have all been affected by words and realize they had some type of impact on who we are today.
God’s Word gives us instructions and insight about the power of words and how critical it is to be careful and watch what we say. In the third chapter of James, we read about the potential dangers of the tongue. It talks about how we can put bits in the mouths of horses and use a rudder on a ship as a way to manage direction, but controlling the tongue must be disciplined from within.
Verses 7 and 8 say, “For every kind of beast, and of birds, and serpents, and of creatures in the sea is tamed and has been tamed of mankind; but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” The tongue is a little member of our body, but how quickly it can stir up much trouble. Many lives have been ruined by allowing their hateful and foolish thoughts to be released. This passage continues to identify the tongue as a “world of iniquity” and like a spark that can ignite a raging fire.
For those who know God, our words can be filtered through a humble awareness of our weakness and a passionate desire to walk in God’s character.