“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
James 3:5
We’ve heard that building up or tearing down with just our words is possible. Holding this truth to your heart will help you mightily in life. It will help you as you train your child, and even when you’re most upset, you bridle your tongue and say only blessed things in wisdom. Why? Because your words have the tendency to shape your child, building in his mind a picture of who he perceives himself to be. It will help you build relationships because you would never speak evil against another, whether they are guilty or not. Also, it can help you save a life; just a word can inspire and breathe back life into a dying soul.
Watch the things you allow your tongue to speak, for its effects are more potent than you can imagine. Words can linger in the hearer’s mind, ringing over and over. So, watch the words you speak to people. Some people’s comments have made others commit suicide; some have made others give up; some have given life to others through their words. What will be the effect of your words on others?
Thus, use this power wisely. Let your tongue build up and never tear down. Let it give life and never sting. Let it not be two-sided, speaking the right things in some situations and the wrong ones in other cases.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” 1Pet. 3:10.
Prayer
- Lord, I ask that you sanctify my heart and, by extension, my tongue, so I will only speak what is true and kind at all times.
- Help me, Lord, to always make kindness my watchword whenever I open my mouth.
- Dear Father, help me to glorify you with my tongue. Amen.
- Father, in all the ways my tongue has torn down rather than built up, please forgive me, and help me make restoration.
This is our message for today, and we hope you were blessed. We’d also love to hear from you; please comment below.
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Have a blessed day!
