The Power of the Spoken Word

James is a great book in the New Testament. I enjoy how honest and forthright he is in his rightings to the church. All the things he speaks about are applicable here and now in today's world just as they were back in New Testament times.

In Chapter 3, James talks about taming the tongue. He says in verse 2 that a man who is never at fault has control over his entire body....that includes the tongue. He talks about the bit in the horses mouth and how it turns the large animal easily and the rudder on a ship, how it steers the massive vessel without any effort.Verse 5 references a spark in a forest and how it can set a whole fire.

Our tongues are truly powerful for being such small muscles. No other body part as nearly the influence. And what powers this small muscle? The brain, the heart, or is it a combination of both?

My mother used to say "Think before you speak! Your mouth moves faster than your brain can process." How true that we don't think about the residual effects of words spoken before we say them. At first it would be considered childlike abandon and then cruel, rude and immature.

Words can build men up, inspire them to succeed, lead them into battle, rule a nation, destroy a relationship, undermine a structure, determine life or death, soothe a soul, trigger a rebellion and so much more. One a one on one level, how do your words affect others? Are they kind words, thoughtful responses, Christ-like inspiration or are they abbrassive, course, undercutting and destructive. It can be simply how you say rather than what you say....anyone who has had a few conversations in their life time would know that.

Our tongues are what put Chrsit on the cross as the masses cried "crucify Him!!" and tongues announced the arrival of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem while shepherds came to Bethlehem searching for Him. Words parted the Red Sea, words sapped Samson's strength, Zechariah was struck dumb from speaking too much until he announced the name of his son...John the Baptist.

Verse 10 states that "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing and this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" We cannot talk nice and church like out of one side of our mouths and then curse the church or take the Lord's name in vain out of the other side. It just doesn't work that way.

So which side of the fence are you on and what words have you used today that have inspired, encouraged, affirmed and loved someone else. Even if it's someone who is hard to love! Jesus did not discriminate about who to love. As a matter of fact, those who were harder to love are the ones He showed love to the most.