Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.—Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)
Have you ever taken the time to think about the words you have said that may have hurt someone’s feelings, and wished you didn’t say them? Or you wished you could take those words back? As we look at the world today, we can see the negative impact from one person’s words. We can understand why God’s Word talks so much about the tongue. It makes it clear that our words are very powerful, however even though our tongue is a very important small part of our body, we can either use it to lift up or tear down others. James describes man’s challenge with the tongue—read James 3:1-12.
Has anyone’s words ever hurt you in some way? Or have their words lifted you up? I know for me it is ‘yes’ for both, there have been words spoken that have hurt me from my childhood, and there were words said that have helped me to heal during difficult times. A good test for us would be to ask ourselves: Do I consider my words before speaking about others, or to others about others? Our words whether right or wrong, can change someone’s life for the better, or for the worse.
A slip of our tongue can cause lots of damage because speech is part of our daily lives. So the more we speak, the more opportunities we have to stumble in our words. Although we have to speak, however the bible says there is: “A time to be silence” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Therefore we should practice holding our tongues, especially when we are provoked, or if we are angry (that’s a hard one). As humans, when our feelings are hurt, or a nerve is struck, we tend to react with our words. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;” (James 1:19).
What comes out of our mouth can not be taken back, our words can be hurtful, but should instead be edifying (seasoned with grace). It is also important that we not only speak the truth, but especially in love (Ephesians 4:15); not with words that hurt, but instead heal. Jesus did not use harsh or hurtful words, even when He was insulted. Therefore constantly pray to God to help us to use our tongue, whether we think others deserve it or not. Benjamin Franklin wrote: 'A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.'
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