7 day plan

The Power of Words

Day 3 of 7

NIV

James 3:9-10

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Reflection:  James is so right. It should not be!

My awakening came in the form of an epiphany from God. Walking to the train down LaTrobe St in Melbourne’s CBD after work one day, I was suddenly struck by the harm my so-called ‘cleverness’ was senselessly causing. What was I doing? How was I representing Christ in the workplace? Who was I trying to impress? What damage was I unwittingly on others? I stopped.

Not to say I haven’t slipped up over the years and said things that have hurt others. Of course, I have! We all inflict harm with our words.  But I have totally lost the art of the witty repartee that comes at another’s expense.

I have also learned to apologise for the hurt I have caused if it has been brought to my attention.

But why does it matter?

Because as James says, words stick. They have the power to unleash great harm and great good.

Question:  Can you think of an occasion when you spoke with the deliberate intent to cause hurt? Have you sought forgiveness from the recipient of your ‘cursing’ tongue?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, forgive me. Help me to speak words of love, gratitude and encouragement to my loved ones, my colleagues, my friends, strangers in the street. I want this because you want this of me.

 

 

 

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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7

James 3:1-18

Taming the Tongue

1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.