When I Open My Mouth
I sometimes feel that I get it wrong after I open my mouth. The words I express come too quickly when responding to unpleasant situations. It just seems uncontrollable. In his letter, the Apostle James expresses these sentiments by stating that the tongue is aflame with the fire of hell. In other words, all the wickedness in the world seems to originate from the tongue. The tongue introduces words that can have a profound impact on others. Yet, as a child, we often quote this rhyme: sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me. This rhyme misinforms with a false belief or was the intended message to create resilience from the impact of words. Words are so powerful that some individuals automatically retaliate with more words or become heavily medicated to justify their form of retaliation.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:10
The Apostle James notes that the believer’s speech cannot switch from negative to positive within minutes of different episodes. Our speech must consistently glorify God by uttering words that lead to enlightenment instead of obliviousness. Why? Negative words produce destruction and cause devastating effects. These words can erode relationships, damage self-esteem, and hinder personal growth. These words leave scars that may take years to heal. Yet, the Savior explained it this way:
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
Matthew 12:34-35 NIV
Subsequently, your words reflect your inner character. So, what we say indicates what we are. Like a fig tree cannot bear olives, the believer must bear the fruit of righteousness. If we remember that words impact powerfully, we will make others feel happy and content instead of angry or indifferent. Our words should transform lives and motivate people to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles, and succeed. As believers, we must visualize the impact of our words even before they exit our mouths because the Savior states that the result of our words will dictate our destiny.
Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them, or you will be condemned.
(Matthew 12:37 Living Bible)
Finally, let our words impact the way God intended instead of our selfish intent.
