Word, words, words. They are only effective when spoken out. With them we can build someone up, or tear him down. With words we can be of encouragement to someone, or of discouragement. With them we can bring life or destruction. The choice is really ours.
I just came back from a vaulting show (vaulting is gymnastics on the back of a horse while it is walking, trotting or cantering) where both my sons were involved. I had two choices. I could have brought words of discouragement to my sons, believing that it would encourage them to improve: “Great job, but you could have kept your arms a bit straighter and you could have done that cartwheel off the horse before the music was over.” This would have brought destruction into my sons lives.
Or I could have said truthfully: “I am so proud of both of you! You have improved so much! You are unbelievable! If I were in your place, both my arms would have been around the horse’s neck (no kidding) and someone would have had to peel me off that horse’s back!” This would (and did) brought life to my sons.
It wasn’t a too difficult choice to make. However in other circumstances these choices are made without even thinking about them. God’s Word tells us: Romans 3:13 “Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mud slides. Every word they speak is tinged with poison.” MSG
Most of us certainly can’t deny that our words are sometimes tinged with poison. This text describes the condition of humanity. Want further proof?
Listen to the daily news. You can choose the day. Hardly any if it is exactly uplifting. It’s all about earthquakes here, terrorism there, car accidents somewhere else, tax hikes here… No wonder so many people are depressed!
God’s Word makes us aware that we have a choice to make. Either we use our words and act as children of God (John 1:1 “1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” NIV) or we use our words and act as children of the devil (Revelation 12:10 “For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” NIV Referring to Satan (see Revelation 12:9)).
God builds up people. He came as the Word on our planet to bring back life to it. Jesus restored our relationship with God, encouraging people to keep our eyes on Him. The devil on the other side accuses people all the time. He wants to tear us down at every occasion possible. He wants to discourage us in such a way that we become ineffective.
Our choice is to build others up and praising God as true children of the Lord: James 3:9-12 “With our tongues we bless God our Father…” MSG
Or we can act as children of the devil and use our words to destroy others: James 3:9-12 “With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?” MSG
As children of our Holy Father we can’t do both! Either we encourage others, or we spread destruction around us with our words.
“But how can I stop my mouth from fouling up?”
There is only one way: Y2J. Or in other words Yield to Jesus. Stop being in the way of Jesus, instead let Him shine through you.
It is not a question of self-control. You will be soon disappointed as there is no way you can do this by yourself. It is a question of who is in control of your life. Either we control our own life, hurting others while doing so, or we yield our lives to Jesus and let Him be in control, even of our own words. If we do this unconditionally, there will be no other choice but to pronounce words of life to others.
What choice will you make? I don’t know about you, but I am fed up with being in control of my life. I am tired of hurting others with my words. It is time to yield to Jesus and enjoy a stress free life in Jesus. His promises hold true, even in our words. Mat 11:28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” MSG
Will you join me and yield to Jesus today?
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org