by David Brenneman
"To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12.
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29.
"Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor." 1 Corinthians 10:24.
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:27.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:14.
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:12-17.
Our world makes every excuse to justify brandishing words as weapons against anyone, for any self-justifying reason. They will couch it in emotional reactions. They will couch it in physical reactions. They will because the heart of God isn't beating within them. They, as the Scriptures say (paraphrasing), are dumbfounded that we're not joining in with them. To be honest, look around, and maybe at yourselves, because they might not be dumbfounded by you because you did join them.
I have written on many occasions of my own childhood experience with words being wielded as weapons. Adults don't give it a second thought and call it a passion of the moment. Children look around at first to see if they're gaining any popularity with their peers.
It's an extremely important matter to guard our tongues. Jesus commanded that we watch how we listen and gave very important words regarding what comes out of the heart as being what defiles a man or woman. He goes on to say that every careless word that people speak they will give an account of before Jesus.
Careless words. Spoken either thoughtlessly or intentionally we will give an account of before Jesus.
While our actions as well in the body we will give an account of before Jesus, our words can do far more damage for a greater time frame than anything our physical body can do.
Satan's well aware and has gone to great lengths to develop psychological warfare as part of spiritual warfare. Militaries throughout history have incorporated psychological warfare in their plans for battle.
We can unknowingly do great harm to others by not taking care of how we speak.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14.
"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:6.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:14.
"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;" Ephesians 5:11.
We are to live lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. If the same comes from our mouths as does the world's are we any different than them and will they see Christ in us, will the Father be glorified?
Look at those things you say you find enjoyment in. Those things that you are indeed allowing to pour forth from your mouth unwholesome things. Is it worth it?
All whom we will ever encounter in our lives are those whom Jesus died for.
All are those whom, as much as ourselves, are offered His grace and mercy.
All.
In as much as what we like probably isn't bad, per se, for us...we need to give control of our tongues as well to the Spirit so that we aren't giving God's people a bad name. Many many people who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, have unintentionally ruined their testimony because of the heat of the moment with regards to some form of entertainment they 'love'.
"He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20.
"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17.
Our words can have an impact decades later in the lives of people.
Words we spoke in haste, spoke in anger, spoke out of anything for any reason will go on before us.
You probably remember words of those who are no longer in the world. Think about what will be remembered of you and what you said.
You have to be intentional to make sure that you are seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. That you put on the love of God in Christ Jesus. Honestly shutting up rather than speaking a word in haste that can't be taken back.
Words are far more powerful than bullets. They go on long after us and will be revealed yet again before Jesus.
We will heal or harm with what we speak. What has been said can be apologized for and forgiveness sought...and you should always seek these things.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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