Words
I am looking out my office window at dark clouds and rain. The rain shortened my time at the swimming pool today, but I am glad that I did some work in my garden this morning. I found that sitting in a power wheelchair using an electric tiller has its advantages.
I also met Pastor Reza Zadeh from Windsor for coffee. I enjoyed connecting with a brother that I have not had the opportunity to get to know that well. Pastor Reza has been a faithful servant of the Lord and recently left Timberline Windsor. I have observed his life and ministry over the years. I know Reza was one of Isla’s favorites. (Debbie’s mother) Check out Pastor Reza’s blog at www.RezaZadeh.org This is a great resource for apologetics and teaching to feed your spiritual growth.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” James 1:19 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26
As I was reading through the Book of James these verses about the tongue stood out to me. I’m not sure if it is because I like to talk or if it just reminded how much there is in the Bible about our words. James in his letter says a lot about the tongue. Chapter 3 goes into detail about the importance and the challenge of “taming the tongue.”
When I read James 1:19, I thought of the observation that, “we have two ears and one mouth and we should use them in that proportion.” Yet we can probably observe that people talk more than they listen. When Andrew Romanoff was Speaker of the Colorado House, he would comment during a lengthy debate on a bill, “all has been said, it just hasn’t been said by everybody!”
Just a quick review of some scriptures about the tongue or the words we speak reveal some insight worthy of consideration:
Jesus said the issue was a matter of the heart, “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) The measure of the heart is found in our words. Do they build up or tear down? Do they curse or do they bless?
Solomon observed, “even fools seem wise if they keep silent.” (Proverbs 17:28) “When words are many sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)
The Apostle Paul challenges us, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colosssians 4:6) “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
From Solomon to Jesus to Paul to James and many others we find the importance of the words we speak. As James says, “…if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2) So we realize that we will fail to use words wisely and timely at all times. That is why we need to evaluate our own words and to be quick to seek forgiveness from the Lord and others when our words cause us to sin.
Our prayer needs to be the same as the psalmist, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalms 141:3)