Submitted by Ryan Hart
What would you say the greatest power in the world is? Some may say the United States. Some may say faith. Some may say their wives. One of the most underestimated powers in this world is our words.
The apostle James speaks to the power of our words in James 3 by saying, “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… But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:3-5, 8). If the tongue is so powerful, how can we control it?
The apostle James was not mistaken in 3:8 when he pointed out “no man can tame the tongue.” He was correct. We cannot tame our words ourselves. When we have a goal that looks unachievable by ourselves, we often hire people to do the job for us or to teach us how to do it. We need someone who has mastered the art of taming the tongue to teach us. Lucky for us, we have Jesus.
Jesus, the Word of God (John 1:1), used His words in the way we too should use ours. He only spoke the words the Lord wanted Him to speak, (John 7:16; 12:49-50). He called out sin and hypocrisy, (Matthew 23). He remained silent when most would not, (Matthew 26:63; 27:14). The apostles went on to reiterate Jesus’ method of speaking for the church to utilize.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:29 to “not let any corrupt word proceed out of your mouth.” He later says in Colossians 3:8-9, 17 to “put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another… whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Our words, what we say, carries a lot of weight to God. In fact, Jesus tells us “…for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). Words are powerful. According to Jesus, they are what punch our ticket to heaven or hell. And yes, He still hears when we are alone, and hit our finger with a hammer. Consider this when choosing your vocabulary this week.
Please, consider joining us at Midway Church of Christ (5750 W CR 232, Bell, FL) as we seek to worship God and grow in the grace that He supplies.
Sunday – 10AM Study/11AM Worship / 6PM Worship Wednesday Study – 7PM