The Biggest, Baddest Little Thing

How much and how often do we shortchange ourselves and others by the things that we say?  How often do we bring negative things into our lives and the lives of others because of what we say?  How often do we undermine the good things God has in store for us by allowing the wrong things to come out of our mouths? 

Proverbs 18:21 (ERV):  “The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.”

So that biggest, baddest little thing we all have called the tongue can create a lot of negative in our lives – if we allow it.  But on the other side of that coin, it can create a lot of positivity in our lives – if we guard it.  Which we prefer to have in our lives – negative or positive – needs to be considered seriously.  You would think that would be an easy decision to make – who wants negativity in their life when they have the option for positive outcomes?  However, we need to examine our hearts because that’s where the tongue gets its power.

Luke 6:45 (ERV):  “Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.”

We should strive to fill our hearts so full of goodness and love that nothing can spill from our mouths but good.  We should look for the best in everyone and speak words of life, love and encouragement in order to bring out their best.  We don’t want to stifle our blessings with criticism and a judgemental attitude toward others.  

James 3:3-10 (MSG):  “A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!  It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.  This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!  My friends, this can’t go on.”

Our tongue can be like a wrecking ball – destroying everything in its path.  That’s a strong motivation to ask God to fill our hearts with His love, His joy and His peace.  If we have a heart that is so filled with His Spirit, it will result in life and not destruction.  Our life should reflect to others the goodness of our Father by what we say and do.

James 1:26 (VOICE):  “If you put yourself on a pedestal, thinking you have become a role model in all things religious, but you can’t control your mouth, then think again. Your mouth exposes your heart, and your religion is useless.”

On one of my little daily flip calendar pages, this is what it said:  “Lord, I pray You would give me the ability to always speak the right words at the right time.  Make me to be like the most educated scholar so that I am easily able to choose words that heal, calm, edify, and uplift the people I talk to.  Help me to get outside of myself and be focused entirely on those who need the kind of comfort and encouragement a timely word can bring.”  The verse for that day was Isaiah 50:4 (GNT):  “The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary.  Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me.” *

That should be my prayer every morning.  If I’m going to get what I speak for myself and give what I speak to others, I want it to be blessed, not cursed.  So God,  help me to plant only good seeds in my heart and please guide my thoughts and my words.  Amen  

Written by Karran Martin – January 1, 2025

*Prayers for Emotional Wholeness” by Stormie Omartian[All bold emphasis is mine]