A recent Facebook “like” from a friend of friend confirmed to me what God has been teaching me lately, the taming of the tongue. In this “like”, facebook reported “Abcd likes “vitriol about ex” and “Jesus is Lord” (of course the vitriol has been cleaned up for this post). What James talked about in James 3:1-11 came alive, how we praise God and curse men all with the same tongue, and I am no saint in this regard.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue“. With the tongue we can proclaim blessings from the Lord, declare the promises of God and with it we are able to preach the good news of the Liberty found in the Lord Jesus to the ones in bondage. Indeed the tongue is a small part of the body, but with it lies the power to heal the broken hearted and give hope to the hopeless. With the tongue we can inspire confidence and influence peace among the nations. Its no wonder that politicians are able influnce multitudes not with works but with words full of promises. A word spoken has the power to change attitudes and situations. This is immense power that has been accorded to this one part of our bodies.
Yet with the same tongue lies the power to destroy. With it we break relationships and tarnish characters, engaging in well intended gossip and misinformed character analysis. We instigate violence and hatred, disregarding the well being of our brethren. With sweet words we lie and cheat, ignoring the follies of our ways. We have placed a confidence in our tongues, knowing that are able to get away with anything, so long as we say the right things.
But the tongue is simply a tool for communication, spreading what lies deep in our hearts. If we are to control the tongue, we need a transformation of the heart. Jesus stated that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks“. It is not possible to use our will power to control what we say, but it is through the transforming power of knowing Jesus, and keeping his command that shall we be able to gourd the gateways of out hearts. The Spirit of God is Power! Power to pull down the strong holds of deception and malice in our hearts to planting fruits of love and peace and understanding.
Exercising our faith is therefore the only hope that we have at taming the tongue,by daily meditating on the Word of God. Then shall we be able to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth, approaching with confidence the throne room of Grace. Jesus came to the world to teach us the way, the only way, that transforms the heart, enabling us to communicate love and liberty.
