The Power of the Tongue

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 7-9; James 3

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness” (James 3: 9 NIV).

The tongue is a dangerous weapon. Physical wounds can heal faster then the wounds of a tongue. As I’m sitting here typing, I can bring to mind hurtful things people have said to me from ten or even fifteen years ago. Once again I can start to feel hurt, angry and abused. I can start to get my feathers in a ruffle over things that person has long ago forgotten. They might not even realize they said the hurtful thing to me. Yet, I can still get hurt all over again by it.
Words are such a powerful tool. They can hurt, or they can build up and affirm a person. Sometimes simply telling someone that you love and admire them can change their whole day. Instead of being glum, a smile is brought to their face that they can’t seem to shake. Their whole outlook has changed.
James 1:19-20 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (NIV).
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not very good at this. More often then naught something spews out of my mouth before I’m even thinking about the consequences. I say things that hurt and wound those around me, without even meaning to do so.
So my prayer for today is that I’ll speak just a little bit slower. My prayer is that the words of my mouth will come from God, not from me. My prayer is that I’ll never forget just how powerful words are in this world, and that I’ll use my words to build up, instead of tear down.

What about you? What are your words portraying about you today?