Words Are Important
Will you agree that there are times when our tongue can get us into serious trouble? Though we may earnestly desire to obey God and say the right things, there are times when we say the wrong things.
A famous publisher once made the startling statement that if you are an articulate person, you speak about 30,000 words each day. That is a lot of words, isn’t it? Do you realize that if these words were put into print, they would fill a small book every day? Think what this would mean over a lifetime. There would be enough books to fill a good-sized college library. That’s a scary thought, especially when we realize that after we speak a word it can never be recalled. The moment it leaves our lips it is gone forever. Regardless of what we might do, the spoken word can never be changed. But even worse, God hears every word we speak. We might forget what we said, but He doesn’t forget anything. Consider what He says in Matthew 12:36-37, Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Fo r by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by words thou shalt be condemned. Idle words are careless words. There is usually little thought behind them. They will evidence the fact that either we are for God or against God.
Words either lift and encourage or disturb and hurt others.
If, when we face our Creator and Judge, God will forget none of our words, don’t you think it is of utmost importance that we watch carefully what we say? I don’t think there is any question about it. Because we have sinful hearts, there are times when we may say things that hurt even our dearest loved ones.
We need a power greater than ourselves to control our tongue.
In James 3:8, we are told that the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. No human in his or her own strength can control the tongue. We need the power of God that can only be known by conversion.
In James 3:17, the apostle tells us it is the wisdom that is from above that will enable us to say the right things at the right time. This is the wisdom God gives His people when their hearts are right with Him and they desire His will.
In Proverbs 2:6 we read, the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. As one’s life is turned over to the control of Jesus Christ, then and only then can he speak in a manner that will truly honor Christ.
The person whose speech continually dishonors the Lord has never been born again.
We read in James 3:14-15, But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. This kind of speech is from the Devil. Much of the speech we hear around us is devilish. As the Spirit of God directs those of us who are in Christ to say the right things, the Devil also directs people to say the wrong things. If a believer is carnal (not fully committed to Christ’s control), he is treading on dangerous ground because the flesh will control his speech, and the flesh is inherently weak. Those who are surrendered to Christ’s control can know the joy and victory that can be experienced over an uncontrolled tongue.
Our Lord taught in Matthew 12:34, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
The secret of a controlled tongue is a controlled heart. A controlled heart is one yielded to the will of God.
Probably, more damage is being done to the work of Christ by the tongue than by any other means. Often gossipers and busybodies in Christian circles hinder God’s work. When we thrust our opinions on others, desiring to get sympathy for our cause while attempting to destroy the character of a Christian brother or sister in Christ, we can be sure the Devil is in control.
What should we do when we have adverse feelings toward someone? Tell everybody we know? Absolutely not. Pray for that one; contact him or her personally and discuss our disagreement to see if we can help the situation. This is the scriptural method which God honors.
A backbiting tongue will ruin your testimony and make you totally useless for God.
Dr. A.B. Simpson said, “I would rather play with forked lightning or take live wires in my hands than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ or idly repeat the slanderous words which Christians are hurling on others to the hurt of their own souls and bodies.”
In Psalm 141:3, David prayed, Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. May this be our constant prayer so that we shall not speak careless words that cut, mar and destroy; but that we shall speak in a manner that will exemplify and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ we profess to love.
Maybe your tongue problem is really the result of a heart problem.
If you have never come to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally, I urge you to call upon Him and receive Him into your life. Confess your sins, repent of your sins, and invite Christ to come into your life. Allow Him to take control. Trust Him and see what a change He can make in your life.
J. Allen Blair
Listener Comments:
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Topping, VA
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Crab Orchard, WV
Pastor Geoffrey Goes To Africa
Pastor Geoffrey is currently enrolled at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte NC. In July, he and his family will travel to Ethiopia where he will teach English at the Evangelical Theological College in AddisAbaba, the capital city. His wife, Nancy, and two of their children, Kara and Garren, will work with local ministries. Little 1 ½ year old blond, blue-eyed Kelsey will open doors of opportunity!
The family needs support to cover immunizations, insurance, travel, and living expenses for their month-long missionary journey. If you are interested in becoming a partner with the Pastor Geoffrey Janes family, you may give to them through:
SIM USA
Attn: STA Receipting
PO BOX 7900
Charlotte, NC 28241
Make your check payable to SIM USA. Be sure to indicate that your gift is as follows:
Janes ETC Teachers 2006 Team.
Pastor Geoffrey says, “We are looking forward to serving the Lord in this manner, and we would love for you to remember us in prayer during this time.”
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)
Happy 93rd Birthday, Mrs. Blair!
In her book, Mother's Memories, which will be published by Glad Tidings this year, Mrs. Blair wrote,
“After Allen and I made Jesus Lord of our lives, we desired to allow our precious Lord to direct and guide us. Allen had worked at the Atlantic City Electric Company for five years and was in line for a promotion. I had told the Lord I would do anything He wanted me to do and go anywhere He wanted me to go, if He would show me the way. I learned a great lesson: do not make a promise to the Lord if you do not intend to keep it. In the years that followed, His was always the best way.”
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:9)