Words are small things, but they are the most powerful things on earth. Words can cause people to love each other or to hate each other. Words can bring peace or cause war. Words can make strong friends or bitter enemies. Words can cause fights, deceive, create jealousy, produce anger, and bring every form of evil. Words can also bring faith, reveal truth, produce understanding, and give hope. Every Christian has no greater responsibility than to control his tongue and watch carefully his words.
Jesus left no doubt about the importance of what a person says. Read Matthew 12:34-37. First, the mouth speaks only what lives in the heart and mind of the person. If you curse, it is because cursing is in your mind. If you lie, it is because lying lives in your heart. If you speak righteously, it is because righteousness lives in your heart. Your words tell everyone what your mind and heart are like. Second, each person shall give answer to God for his idle words. Words that have no purpose, no meaning, and accomplish nothing good should not be spoken. Third, our words will be used by God to justify or to condemn us in the day of judgment. God will make us answer for how we talk on earth. James gives a serious warning in James 1:26. Any person who tried to be religious but does not control his tongue is only lying to himself. The uncontrolled tongue makes his religion vain of no value! If you are a Christian, you must use the speech of a Christian. Paul instructed Christians to let no lying come from their mouths; speak only the truth (Ephesians 4:25). He also told Christians that no corrupt talking should come from their mouths; Christians should speak only things that are good and spiritually encouraging (Ephesians 4:29). Words of bitterness, wrath, anger, confusion, evil speaking, filthiness, and foolish talking have no place in a Christian (Ephesians 4:31; 5:4).
Some African Christians have a very dangerous habit. When they see or hear something that is surprising, they will say, "Christ!" or "God!" This terrible habit makes an idle word out of the name of God and His son. God and Christ are holy, and their names are holy. Their names should never be used in such careless way. James 1:19 gives some good instruction. Christians should be quick to listen. They should be slow to speak - speak carefully after thinking carefully. They should be slow to get angry. Peter says that if you love life and want to enjoy good days, you should keep your tongue from saying any evil, and you should keep your lips from lying (I Peter 3:10).
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