14 day plan

Why Your Words Matter

Day 1 of 14

NIV

James 3:3-5

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.

Series Introduction:  Imagine standing before a blank canvas with hundreds of bottles of fresh paint before you. Each a rich shade colour with endless possibilities to blend and harmonise with other colours. As you consciously make a choice and dip your paintbrush into a bottle, something is birthed. The canvas will never be the same again and no other painting you do will be the same as this.

Every time you speak, did you know the same opportunity awaits?

Reflection:  I’ve always known the gravity of words, but working as a radio announcer at 89.9theLight has taught me that words are so much more than even that. Words are an opportunity to bring splashes of joy and laughter to a friend who’s been dealt with life’s blows. We can bring a soothing balm of healing to a loved one who needs that comfort. We can raise up a future leader with our words of advocacy or crush the petals of hope if we allow our words to be callous and rushed.

Take a quick look around you to see if anyone is watching, and then poke out your tongue. Give it a good wiggle to the left and right (okay you can pop it back in again!). This unassuming muscle can have the power to ignite both good and bad outcomes. One of the biggest mistakes we can make in life is to assume that our words don’t have that kind of power. One of the greatest things we can do is learn how to tame the tongue.

Prayer:  Lord God, help me to understand the power I wield when I speak to others and when I speak over myself. Help me to tame my tongue and allow your wisdom to guide my speech. From today, I ask you, Lord, to speak to me in this area of my life. Amen.

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.