The words we speak are spirit and life. James 1:26 says if anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 3:5-6 says the tongue though is a small member, it is able to set ablaze a great forest, therefore the tongue is a fire, an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature and set on fire by hell. In James 3:8 it says that no human being can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison. How do we guard our tongues against destruction?
Purpose of words
Words are either for God or for the devil. Mankind is only the conduit by which words are spoken. Words which we utter show our preference either for God or for the devil or which of them we serve. We are accountable for the consequences of our words, Revelation 22:19. Words determine our eternity, Matthew 7:24-26.
Ungodly purpose
Words are not for an insult or a curse, Matthew 5:22. They are not to be used to destroy, Matthew 15:11, 18; Mark 7:20. They should not be uttered with or for shame, Luke 9:26. Words should not be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because such is unforgiving, Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:32. Words are not for lies because the father of evil the devil speaks lies, John 8:44. Words are not for false testimony, Matthew 19:18; Exodus 20:16. They are neither for false reports, Exodus 23:1.
Words are not meant for swearing falsely by God’s name because we profane God’s name, Leviticus 19:12; Matthew 5:33. We fall under condemnation when we swear, James 5:12. Jesus however said in Matthew 5:34-36 that do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, anything more than this comes from evil. Some of us have ruined our lives and the lives of others based on utterances, taking oath before deities and/or before other spiritual powers or authorities contrary to God’s word.
With or without knowledge of the character of words and their consequences, some of us have destroyed our families, children, relatives, neighbours and generations through words of curses that we made in anger, impatience or intolerance. James 1:19 says let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. When curses we have pronounced begin to manifest in due course, then we hastily blame witches, wizards, and other innocent people. In such a state of panic, we again seek for solutions from entangling spirits of darkness. Mathew 23:20-22 says when we swear about a thing, we swear by everything about it.
Godly purpose
Our words must originate from God, John 3:34. We must wait for the Holy Spirit to give us utterance, Mark 13:11; Matthew 10:20. Jesus said I speak as the Father has taught me, John 8:28; 14:10. Words must reflect God’s image by which we were created, Genesis 1:26-27. Words are for encouragement, Romans 15:4. They are for prophesy, up-building and consolation, 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 14:3. Words are for praises for good things. Matthew 21:16 says out of the mouth of babes and suckling thou hast brought perfect praise. We are also to sing praises, James 5:13; Revelation 19:5. Words are to show appreciation. Luke 17:18 says was no one found to return to give praise to God except this foreigner? Words are for confession and prayer. James 5:16 says therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed; the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.
Words are to subdue powers that are not of Christ Jesus. Romans 14:11 says at the mention of Jesus’ name, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall give praise to God. Philippians 2:10 also says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We are therefore to magnify the Lord with what we say, Psalms 34:3. Words must be for edification, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 26; Ephesians 4:29. Words must be used to rebuke with kindness, Psalms 141:5.
Words are for communication and to build worthy relationships as God originally intended for mankind, Genesis3:17. Abraham, Moses and Jesus maintained such a purpose for the benefit of mankind. Paul also used the same with his communication with Christ Jesus, Acts 9:5. Words are for teaching, Exodus 4:12. They direct us the way we should walk in this life, Exodus 18:20. Iniquity from the heart teaches the mouth, Job 15:5. We should therefore let our hearts be free from evil. Words therefore teach us how we have erred, Job 6:24. In other words, the word we speak must teach us God’s paths, Psalms 25:4-5. It is to help sinners to return to God, Psalms 51:13.
Words are to give life. Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of God, Matthew 4:4. Words are to be gracious, Luke 4:22. They should impact positively on the way of life, Luke 5:5-6. Words should be full of grace and truth, John 1:14. Words should bear witness to the light which is Christ the Lord, John 1:7; Luke 21:13. They should build or create as God intended from the beginning of creation, Genesis 1:3. They must also bless, Genesis 1:22, 24.
Using words purposefully
We must first know the purpose of words and how to maintain them. We should be conscious of the spirit behind the words we speak. We must obey God’s instructions before we speak. We must ask ourselves if the words we speak bring us in true fellowship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our words are testimonies against us before God. It is what comes from the mouth that destroys us, Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:20.
Is our family, relation, work, finance, life or situation under any curse or suffering because of our past unguarded utterances? Let us soberly with introspection and in truth, confess to Christ Jesus about our utterances in the past so he would break the curse for us. Let us in humility invite him to take charge, rescue and restore us. Jesus wants us by our free choice to acknowledge him to cleanse our words. He is an unfailing friend so he bled, suffered and died for us. This may be our last opportunity so confess.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, cleanse my tongue with your blood and seal my mouth with your Holy Spirit. Forgive me of my past utterances. Let me speak on your instructions only. In your holy name I pray, Amen!!
