The Power of Speech

Chuckle: "Always keep your words soft and sweet -- one day you may have to eat them."

Quote: "Sharp words make more wounds than surgeons can heal." --Unknown

THE POWER OF SPEECH

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26 NIV).

The following is copied -- source unknown

Speech is a powerful force. It can be used for either blessing or cursing. Its first and foremost use should be to praise our Creator. From the beginning, the inspired writers of Scripture praise Him for His awesome acts of creation, benevolent operations of providence and His gracious offer of redemption. He is worthy of our praise (Psalm 18:3).

Our tongues should also be a source of blessing to our fellow man. We have the power to build up, exhort and console our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3). A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

A serious violation of the gift of speech is distortion of truth. Truth is the very nature of God. He cannot lie or tolerate lies as it is an assault upon the fabric of His being, a sin that He hates (Proverbs 12:22).

Perhaps the greatest abuse of speech imaginable is when using the tongue to deny God. The fool has said "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). What a challenge it is to use our power of speech in a fashion that is helpful to others and glorifying to God! James' admonition reminds us of how rigorous a task it is controlling the human tongue. It is like a raging fire that requires the greatest effort to subdue. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6).

It is a fresh challenge each day to channel speech for good, and not for evil - to use it wisely and benevolently, rather than foolishly and hatefully. May God grant us the wisdom and strength to use our gift of speech consistent with His holy will.

Love, Jerry & Dotse