It only takes a small spark to start a blazing fire. Before you know it there are acres of land destroyed. This is the same with our tongue. It’s only a small part of our body, but can have one of the biggest impacts.
You have the ability to build people up with your words or tear them down. Speaking life and love to others is an opportunity to extend God’s love to them. As Christians, I pray for God to give you and me the right words to say before we speak or communicate in any way.
As we have become a social media infused culture, many choose to stand up “bravely” behind their screens and throw out whatever words come to mind. One thing I’ve taught my children, that they are still learning, is to think before you speak or type.
Most adults are guilty of this from time to time as well. It isn’t true that words will never hurt you. You speak out of what is in your heart. So what does this mean about our society today?
Many are living with broken, bitter, and hardened hearts and turn around and speak from places of “truth.” The aftermath from this is devastating to say the least. It drives wedges between people and causes discord instead of unity.
The answer? Only God has the power to change someone’s heart. Jesus spoke with love, but as His heart was in tune with God’s, He also spoke from a place of honest truth.
We are witnesses for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Witnessing is about talking to people about Him, but also using your words to speak to others how Jesus would if He were standing next to you.
Harsh words stir up anger and start fires everywhere. Learning to speak a gentle word rooted in His truth allows us to speak life and soothe some of the hurt going on around us.
Out of all the words you speak in a day, how uplifting and loving would you say you are? Ask God to examine your heart and help you speak truth in love—to not only put out fires, but never to start them in the first place.
