James 3:6 (NKJV) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
God has blessed and gifted me in an array of areas. One of His gifts is my ability to communicate. He gifted me with a quick wit, an ability to deductively reason, evaluate and read people and situations and then effectively communicate ideas across a great many levels. That is a blessing, for sure. Let me assure you, I share this self evaluation in all humility and give God full credit and glory for His graciousness.
A blessing, no doubt, that is until it is perverted, manipulated, abused and weaponized. Then it is a curse to befall someone. You see, He gifted me in a way that can be very beneficial to His church, the community, my family and my friends. He can use me, like He’s doing right this moment. Or… I can abuse it. He can use me and this gift to bring about healing of hearts, for teaching, for encouragement, to bring the Gospel to those that need to hear it in just such a way. It’s a powerful gift. It can be fruitful and beautiful. Or… it can bring pain, destruction and misery.
God’s conviction is painful, because it is true. I have abused the power He entrusted to me. I have and on occasion still do weaponize my words. I get frustrated, lose patience and I react rather respond. It does not serve. It does not edify or encourage. It does damage, to others, myself, my witness and consequently, to Jesus. I do it because I’m human. I’m weak. I’m ill tempered, self centered and insecure.
Jesus tells us in
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
There’s power to be had from words, but to what purpose and what end? Choosing words wisely and with righteous purpose is vital. Choosing what and when to speak is equally important and challenging. To be meek, to exercise meekness, sounds like an inferior position to most. Society today equates that word with weakness, cast down, wimpy. It’s not. To be meek is to exercise restraint when you could so easily overpower and subdue. Meekness is power controlled, managed, restrained when it would be easier to unleash. Meekness is humility, tenderness, compassion, empathy. Meekness is power. Meekness is Christ acted out. God had the power to do whatever to whomever He chose. Those who spat on Him, cursed Him, hated and reviled Him, in a breath He could have annihilated them, but He didn’t. He chose meekness, power restrained. He chose love.
My words should be used for inspiration, teaching and healing. My words should be an illustration of God’s love and grace, not born of frustration and angst, twisted by spite or vengeance.
James 3:9,10 (NKJV) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
To pervert this gift, nullifies my effectiveness. It undoes what God would use me for.
Lord, I thank you for bringing this to the forefront for me. Forgive me God for this abuse and perversion of Your gracious gift. I ask that you continue to shape my character, refine me Lord. Help me Lord to proceed in humility and meekness, to use this gift in a way that only honors you Father. Amen
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy
