Tuesday November 9, 2021

Today is Tuesday, November 9 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about the power of words.

As I begin to observe these fifteen minutes of prayer time, I pause and become still. I breathe deeply and slowly. I refocus my busy mind upon God and seek to experience his presence.

Pause and Pray

God, you are holy, you are righteous, you are Lord of all. I worship and praise you. Enable me to open my mind and hear the message you have for me today. Speak a word of life into my heart and mind through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I seek the wisdom of the Lord and join ancient believers with the words of Psalm 34.

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:11-14

Pause and Pray

The Bible touches on many ways in which the tongue causes a great deal of problems. There is the person who is “double tongued” who speaks out of both sides of his or her mouth. There is the person who lies, exaggerates or is duplicitous. There is the person who spreads false information. There is the person who uses the tongue to slander and malign others. There is the person who uses the tongue to ridicule or complain about others. The tongue is the source of malicious talk and gossip. The eighth commandment of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16) says you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Spreading false information about someone can destroy their reputation. The apostle James reminds us that the tongue is a small member of the body, yet it has tremendous potential for good or evil.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or 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. Likewise, 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. The 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8

I reflect over the course of my life and consider the many ways I have used the power of words – for good and ill. I consider times when my words made a difference – words that built up, encouraged, made peace, asked or offered forgiveness, repaired relationships, brought people together, healed a relationship, changed someone’s life for the better, increased someone’s confidence, guided their future. In contrast, I also consider times when my words made a difference in a negative way. Times I misused the tongue to tell lies, gossip, criticize someone, tear them down, or ridicule them. Times when my careless words destroyed a relationship or broke trust. My tongue is a very small part of my body, but it has great capacity for good and evil.

Ask: When have I used my words for good and when have I used my words for evil?

Pause and Pray

God thank you for this stark reminder of the power of speech in my life. Teach me how to tame my tongue, a small part of my body that carries significant power. Let my conversation be evidence of a right relationship with you and let my words demonstrate a good heart that is maturing in Christian life and faith. Steer my words to obey your will and speak goodness into the lives of others. I read the words from James again and listen for the specific message you have for me today.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or 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. Likewise, 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. The 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

What is God revealing to me about the words I speak, write, text or post? I ask God to call to mind past times when my words have done harm, whether I intended them to do harm or not. I ask God to remind me of words that were lies, boasts, stirred up controversy or caused division. I name these instances before God and ask for his forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. I want God to teach me how to tame my tongue. I do not want a forest fire of harm to erupt from the small spark my careless word ignited.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I invite you into my circumstances. Every time a word is on my tongue, or I am about to make a post on social media, or fire off an email, or respond to a text, Lord, give me pause. Teach me temperance with the words I share, let them cause all manner of good and reflect who I am as a child of God in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:19-21

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I am renewed by the word of God. Let me speak words of life that build up and strengthen others. Amen.