THE POWER OF THE TONGUE - MARCH 27, 2010

In Proverbs 18:21 it says: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Isn't that true! Have you ever said to yourself, "I can't believe I just said that?" Unfortunately there are times when we regret words that we have spoken in haste, without thought to the harm our words might cause to another. Do you want your words to bless and encourage or hurt and belittle? In Proverbs it says "The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." Reach for the fountain, reach for the water of life in the word of God! Proverbs 18:6-8 it says, A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts."  When we gossip about someone we hurt that persons heart and it leaves a permanent hole.
James 3 - Taming the tongue
"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

Today in the 40 day revolution we are asked to pray in every room of our houses and work places, I especially pray for the forgiveness of hurtful words in any of these rooms. I want to dedicate Joshua 24:15 to all our homes and work places;  "BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
Blessings,
Kathye