Anytime I do a wedding service, I try to always remind the couple that words can hurt. That our speech can cut as deep as any sharpened dagger. Our words can encourage, heal, strengthen others…or they can hurt and break those who receive them. In the book of James, it tells us that if we claim to be religious but don’t control our tongues…we are fooling ourselves and our religion is worthless! We need to take our speech and let God call the shots as to what we say, when we say it and to whom we say it. I heard one follower of this Jesus of the Bible say that he had three rules for speech. He said that first he asks, “Is what I’m about to say true?” Next, he asks himself “Is what I’m about to say necessary?” That’s a great one, because so much of our hurtful speech just doesn’t have to be spoken. We do it because we want to. And the last question he asks is “Is what I’m about to say kind? God has shown his great kindness to each one of us when we didn’t deserve it. Actually, we never really deserve it and still he shows us his love and kindness all the time! So, while you might feel like you are dispensing needed justice with a tirade…you may actually be fooling yourself as to the quality of your relationship with Christ. So slow down that speech that you are about to give to someone and ask those three questions. Is it true, necessary and kind? If we do that, we will avoid using our speech to hurt and give God a chance to use our words to help and even heal others. Remember, they and everyone else will be able to see into your heart by what you say and how you say it. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
James 1:26 NLT If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ
James 1:26 NLT If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Remember I’m praying for you!
With love, PJ