"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21)
God has clearly stated that the tongue has a certain amount of power to it - the power to bring life and the power to bring death.
Sometimes people don't think about what they're going to say before they say it - it just comes out of their mouths. And certain times it can be very hurtful even when they don't realise it. What they don't realise is that although the "tongue is a small part of the body - but it makes great boasts." It is compared to as a 'small spark that can set a whole forest on fire'.
As it is, the things we say have an impact on other peoples lives. We can use our tongue to bring the power of life and healing by encouraging people in Christ, and even small things like, "You look beautiful today.", or we can bring death and spark off a forest fire with our hardly-thought-of insults, judgments and discouraging comments ("I don't think you can do it", anyone?).
I have been hurt before by many careless comments by people who didn't think twice before saying something, and they did not think of the consequences of those words. I have seen hurt appear in peoples eyes when others throw an insult that they thought was seemingly funny, and that person just hid it with a smile. I have seen people take an insulting joke and throw it off with a laugh, only to turn around with an aching heart.
The thing is, the words you say could very well turn into a lifetime of hurt and grief for someone.
You might think it was just a funny comment, hardly an insult, oh you were 'just kidding', why'd she/he have to take it so seriously? But be reminded that God has given you this tongue to edify others and to build others up, for encouragement and for the glory of God.
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
(James 3:9-12)
You could choose to scar someone emotionally with the hurtful words you say - or you could choose to bring life & healing to souls and glorify God the Father that deserves more than what we could ever give.
Think before you say something. God, help me to think before I say something.
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