James 3:3-4 AMP
If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about. Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5 In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. You have probably heard that or maybe said it. Nothing could be further from the truth because words have power. What we say has power to control our lives.
James tells us that though the horse is a powerful animal we can control it simply by setting bits into the horse’s mouth and we are able to direct what this powerful magnificent animal does. The same applies to ships, that though they are great and massive vessels ridding the waves and storms in the deep sea, we are able to direct their course by a very small rudder. The same is true of our tongue that though it is a small vessel, it has the power to direct the course of one’s life.
Proverbs 15:4 (AMP)
4 A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a pervasive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
What we say has the power to control not only the lives of others but also our lives. Remember faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. When we hear the spoken word faith arises in us and the course of our lives is changed forever.
People in authority (Parents, leaders, bosses, pastors and religious leaders) have controlled and changed the course of people’s lives both positively and negatively sometimes without even realizing the power of what they have said. Hearing your Father say he is proud of you and him saying he approves of what you are doing and that he loves you gives you the feeling that you can take over the world. On the other hand hearing your father say that you are useless and good for nothing can crush your spirit for the rest of your life.
Knowing that the tongue has the power to control, what have you been telling yourself and what are you telling others?
Are you speaking words that build up and encourage, are you a tree of life or do your words overwhelm and depress, do you crush the spirit of those around you when you open your mouth?
THINK before you speak
Is it True?
Is it Helpful?
Is it Inspiring?
Is it Necessary?
Is it Kind?
Remember, it only takes a small spark to set the whole forest on fire!
