THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

              Imagine a weapon so powerful that it makes the atomic bomb look like a toy!  

              This weapon has the potential to literally bring anguish into the life of every human being on the planet, but without necessarily destroying them physically. 

               This weapon could however produce scars that last a lifetime, scars that may never heal properly. 

               This weapon is available to the poorest as well as the richest of nations. In fact, every individual has access to this weapon. There are few laws against the possession or use of this weapon. No weapon that now exists, or will exist, will have the deadly potential of this ancient weapon, it is as old as man himself. 

The weapon is THE TONGUE! 

                 The tongue is not mainly an organ for taste, but in this organ lies the power to give life and the power to kill. 

James 3 vs 5 - 6:

 "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."

                From the above passage, you can see that the tongue is defined as a little part in a body, but still boasts about great things. The size of the tongue does not equate its power or ability. 

               The problem we have is that, the tongue can't be used for a particular purpose. 

James 3 vs 9:

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness."

                The same tongue blesses and the same tongue also curses. Anyone who understands the power behind the tongue and the ability to tame it, will live a very controlled life on earth. 

                           HOW TO CONTROL THE TONGUE. 

1) Not every thought needs to be expressed.

              In a world that tells us to use our voice, and we have a right to be heard, Proverbs 10 vs 19, tells a different story.

"Too much talk leads to sin.

Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."

            It’s easy to get caught up in debates. We’re passionate about something, and we think if we just explain things a bit more, surely the person we’re debating will finally get it. 

Again, Proverbs offers a different perspective.

Proverbs 23 vs 9:

"Don’t waste your breath on fools,

for they will despise the wisest advice."

There’s something to be said for saying nothing. Silence can be powerful. 

2) There is power in our words, and we must use them carefully.

Proverbs 10 vs 11:

"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence."

                Have you ever had a tough day when you run into someone who tells you how great you look? Kind words soothe a soul.

               What about on that same hard day when someone cuts you with a snide comment? Harsh words cut like a knife.

3) As Christians, our speech should not mimic the world’s.

Proverbs 15 vs 28:

"The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil."

              As children of God, our words should be the words of where we belong. Not imitating the pattern of the world. 

As children of God, we are under His authority, so our words should only be that which pleases him. 

              We can't tame our tongue on our own strength, it was observed that, the more time we spend in God's word, praying and growing in our faith, the more He helps us with our tongue. 

Be blessed.