We don’t think much about the words that we speak. And that is a big problem. “The tongue is set among our members…setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” An unbridled tongue, it seems, is worst than a stampede of wild horses. “No human being can tame the tongue” (James 3:6,8). So much for the tongue lashing from James. We do need to think more carefully, biblically, about our words.
Thoughtless words can deeply wound. That is no surprise. Weaponizing speech is so easy. Just speak your mind. Say what you really think. Be frank. It seems so justified and even righteous. I have seen many draw blood with their biting words of ‘truth.’ But the Scriptures call us to a higher standard in our speaking.
Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Corrupt talk is foul or rotten; like spoiled fruit or rotten meat. Listening to some people speak can make you sick! Our words should be good, appropriate, and intended to build up. We can minister grace with our words! Our words can wound or they can heal. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Salt flavors and prevent corruption – so should our speech. Always gracious. Do you know such angels? I just love to talk to those people. They minister grace and healing with kind words. They speak health into our souls. What a gift. Be that angel! Be that gift to others!
Proverbs 18:21 shares her wisdom with us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” We promote life or death with the words that we speak. I have noticed that the more I speak harsh, cruel, bitter, and angry words, the darker and more corrupt my heart becomes and the greater distance others keep from me. Yet, the more wholesome, grace dealing, thoughtful and kind, my speech becomes, the more smiles I see. In many ways, our speech creates our environment. “For Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Peter 3:10), and “A gentle tongue is a tree of life” Proverbs 15:4. Think before you speak. Filter your words through the high standard set by the Word of God. If you do, you will bring a little of heaven down to earth.