Taming the Tongue

"Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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."

This verse always hits home for me. For many years, I struggled with using foul language. Once I was working for myself and publicly sharing my faith as a foundation of how I do business, I was convicted to really take a look at how I speak. Almost instantly, the desire to use that language was gone from me. However, there are other ways that I speak that can still use some work.

The extent of this verse does not just stop at using offensive or foul language that our culture deems that way. I believe that the way we speak about others, and ourselves, matters as well. If we consistently put others down without using four letter words, is that now acceptable? Of course not! If we speak poorly about ourselves, in thought or aloud, is that acceptable? No! These words matter as well!

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." - Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

We can choose to speak life into others, ourselves, our loved ones or we can choose to speak death. I think this looks like putting others down both in front of them and behind their backs. The person this most effects is you, the speaker. Because the Word of God says that "those who love it will eat of its fruit." Those who love speaking either way will eat of its fruit.

Today, choose to speak life over others and eat of its fruit for your own well-being!