The Power of the Tongue

Lately I have been thinking about the tongue and how I use my words. I had a little time to share in the team Morning Prayer time. After I shared on the power of words, God’s been challenging me on the words I use, and how I talk. I’ve been trying to take notice of what I’m saying, and the effect that my words have on the people around me.

Proverbs 18:21 says ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall it the fruit of it.’ So in other words, we will eat the fruit of the words we speak, and the words we speak can impart something to us. They can impart death and they can impart life. You can choose which one you want!

Have you ever said something, either to someone or to yourself, and a moment later you realise the damage the words must have caused? In James 3:6 we learn that the tongue is a small member of the body, but it’s difficult to tame. It’s hard to retrieve what we say and there can be long term damage caused by our words if they’re spoken carelessly.

It says in Ephesians 4:29 ‘Don’t let any corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.’ In other words, guard what you’re speaking. Put a stop to negative talk, and use words that are good for edifying. Edifying is to build up, to strengthen, to enlarge something, and make it bigger and better than it was. So let’s use words that edify and build up!

We have the ability to bring a word of God, and encouragement from the Lord into the lives of others. The words we speak can touch hearts and strengthen the lives of people around us. What a tremendous opportunity! Here’s some practical advice on controlling the tongue in the form of the acronym: T.H.I.N.K. We can stop and ‘think’ before we speak, asking ourselves five questions. T for - is it true? H for -is it helpful? I for -is it inspiring? N for -is it necessary? K for -is it kind?

How we speak reveals a lot about us; our country, our job, our values, and our purpose in life. What does your tongue tell us about you? The tongue has the power to control, destroy or build up .It’s up to you how you use it. But there are consequences if you’re careless about how you speak. ‘If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart; this man’s religion is in vain (James 1:26). ‘But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgement (Matthew 12:36-37).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please cleanse my lips and my heart. Teach me to use my mouth in a godly and constructive way. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Amen.