Watch Your Tongue

“We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!.“ – James 3:2-10 NLT

There are 2 WORD CHANNELS that, if we understand how it works, it could save us from so much trouble:

1. Cursing Channel

For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. – James 3:2b NLT

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. – Luke 6:45 NKJV

a. White Curse/Magic – Numbers 22-23 Balak king – Balaam prophet:

DEFINITION: 

White Magic – Consists of words of criticism or condamnation said in anger, contempt or frustration.

Black Magic – It consists of an evil appeal for harm to come to someone ordinarily by calling upon dark powers/demons.

There is a difference between them but both are bad!

i. Criticism – Luke 6: 45 NKJV For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks…

ii. Condemnation – Rom 2: 1-3 ESV Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself…

b. Breaking God’s commandment – Matt.15:10-20 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.

EXODUS 20

c. Inner VOW – Eclesiastes 5:1-7 ESV Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger (ANGEL) that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

❖ Unbiblical inner vow is: – “Strong decision, maybe an oath or maybe a declaration of what we will or will not do in order to protect ourselves from pain or further hurt to obtain what we feel we need” by Rusty Rustenbach [A guide for listening and inner healing prayer]

2. Blessing Channel

a. Studying the Word of the Lord –

Prov. 21:23 ESV – Ephesians 4:29 NLT – Colossians 4: 5-6 NKJV

1 Peter 3: 10-12 ESV – For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

b. Walking in God’s ways –

Obedience is mentioned around 38 times in the Bible.

Gen. 26:4-5

c. Declaring life over your own personal life and others –

Philippians 4:13 NKJV – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

d. Devoting ourselves to His promises – Psalm 119: 9-16 ESV

Conclusion – John 14:15, 21, 23-24 NLT

If you love Me (Jesus), obey My commandments. – John 14:15 NLT