James 3:8-12
“but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
James 3:8-12 NIV
Consistency is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines to learn, because our flesh is constantly at war with the Spirit who dwells within us. The flesh seeks to please self often at the expense of others, which explains why cursing comes so naturally.
Our ancestry also plays a role as we are descendants of Adam, prone to sin at will. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that blessing is counter intuitive as we struggle to outweigh our frequency to curse others by means of edification.
Every believer has no problems with giving praise to God. Each Sunday, in church, people will sing songs of praise to God. When things go good, they will often give thanks to God. Later, however, they will curse another person.
Cursing a person has become a common place thing in our culture. Although in Biblical times it was looked at as more of a condemnation or asking God or any god to bring harm to someone. Often in the ancient days the curse would be stated in a long statement.
Today, instead of a long phrase, short words or phrases are used to condemn a person. The words may have changed, but the meaning is still there. When a person curses someone today, he still desires some form of harm or condemnation to come upon that person.
James tells us that this should not be the case. You have to remember that every person is made in the image of God. Would you curse God? Would you curse His image? Most people will say no to these questions, yet, many will curse another person without any thought about it. When you curse a person, you are essentially also cursing God.
Jesus had said as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me.
As a believer your speech should be bringing praise to God and building other people up. It does not matter if the person is a very bad person, breaking all of the rules of man and God you are just as bad in sinning against God. Remember you also are a filthy rotten sinner. The only difference is you have been saved by God’s grace and mercy. That other person also needs God’s grace and mercy. Will you condemn him or will you point Him to God?
You are not God and do not have the authority to curse any person or thing. Ask God to change the words of your mouth. Learn to bless and not curse. No person or thing in this world deserves to be cursed by you if God does not curse that person or thing.
We can use our tongues to bless others by speaking words of encouragement, kindness, and love. We can choose to lift others up and build them up rather than tearing them down by being mindful of the impact our words can have on them.
Our tongues have the power to speak life into someone’s situation, offer comfort in times of need, and inspire others to grow and thrive.
When we use our tongues to bless others, we are reflecting the goodness of God and spreading positivity and love in the world.
Let’s harness the power of our words like skilled craftsmen in the digital age. Just as we carefully choose the right tools for our work and nurture our relationships with our loved ones, let’s also be mindful of how we speak to others. Every word we utter has the potential to build up or tear down someone’s spirit. Let’s rise to the occasion and cultivate a culture of positivity and compassion with the words we choose to share today!!!
Father thank You for this day and the example that Jesus gives of how to live on earth to Your praise and glory. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord we pray that we would not act hypocritically, praising You in one breath and cursing Our fellow man in another, but we pray we would reflect You, speaking always in spirit and in truth with all wisdom and understanding. from any bitterness of heart or selfish ambitions, and help us to walk in spirit and in truth. Lord use my friend to be the light of Your love today to all. Be a blessing. Love ya
Father, we love You amen !
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