Lately I have been made increasingly aware of the power of the tongue in relationship to our sinful nature as humans. We all have a natural tenancy toward sin. We don't have to be taught to speak poorly, gossip, insult, make fun, complain, answer harshly, or show disrespect. This is what James says:
"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body as well.3 Now if we out bits into the horses mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh."
(James 3:1-12, NASB)
I have heard this passage very often and I don't think I have ever really fully comprehended the absolute sinfulness of even just one careless word. One misguided word, one unrestrained thought, is sinful enough to condemn me to hell for eternity. It reveals that I am utterly depraved, helpless to do any sort of good, without Jesus Christ atoning for my sins and the Holy Spirit guiding me day by day. I think we can all relate. We say things we wish we could take back but it seems like after we get over the guilt and the heaviness of our lack of self-control, we forget the seriousness of the offense and fall back into carelessness.
In Matthew 12:33-37 Jesus says something similar to James:
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.34 You brood of vipers [the unbelieving Pharisees], how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.37 For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned."
Our words reveal what is in our heart. Whatever we fill our hearts with will inevitably come out of our mouths. We must be cautious of what we fill our hearts and minds with. As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within our hearts, bearing fruit as we mature. We need to do our part to discipline ourselves so that our speech does not contradict our confession of faith.
Psalm 19:14 says,
"May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
May we be careful with our hearts and tongues by the power of Christ.
Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment