James 3: 3-12 (NIV)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Matthew 15:10-11, 17-20(NIV)
10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
Reflection:
If only it were as easy as washing our mouths out with soap. But Jesus clearly states that it is a matter of the heart – that’s where it all starts. And that is where God started with us – He gave us a brand new, totally regenerated heart, therefore the crucial battle has been won by Christ through the power of the Spirit. It is the Spirit who governs our hearts now so it’s not so much about “language” as it is about the intention of our hearts and lives. We can now use our very mouths – the words we speak – to bring fresh water and good fruit to bless others and advance the desires of God.
Response:
Let’s thank God that He makes it possible to build up others and advance God’s desires through our words. As we continue to experience the regeneration of our hearts, our words bring life to others. Let’s ask the Lord for even greater transformation, from the inside-out, so words of encouragement may overflow from our hearts and bless all who we interact with.
