Yes, You Can Ministry

Watch your mouth!

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, but does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is useless.”-James 1:26

There are many people who think what they say has nothing to do with who they are or what they believe. You can tell what kind of person you are dealing with from the words they say. When talking to the Pharisees Jesus asked “…How can you being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”-Matthew 12:34 We should keep that in mind not only when we are listening to others, but also when we talk. Occasionally, words may slip out of our mouths that shouldn’t, but if we limit the evil thoughts and words that go into our mind then we will limit the “bad words” that can slip through our teeth. Like the old saying goes, Trash in-Trash out; if we stop putting the trash in then there will be less trash to come out. Let’s face it, we are human beings and we are sinful by the nature we get from Adam, so we do not need any help from outside influences to teach us how to be bad.

In Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees He was not condemning them because of foul language. These men were the preachers of the day, so I’m fairly certain that they were not cussing people out; however, they were speaking in a way to certain people that did not glorify God. It’s not only the cuss words that we need to be careful about, those are an obvious sign of the evil in our hearts; but it’s also the words that we may say in a negative way to others that hurt. I’m not saying that we can’t joke around with people, but anything that we may say to demean or belittle another person should not be said. There is another old saying that I wish had never been spoken because it is a Satanic lie, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words cannot hurt me.” That is HOGWASH! The words that we speak have the power to tear down or to build up. Proverbs 25:11 says, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver, is a word spoken in right circumstances.” The words which we speak not only have the ability to build people up or tear them down, but they also can damn or free us. Remember when Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees? He did condemn them, but He said the words they spoke did.  In Matthew 12:37 He said, “For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” This was a warning to the Pharisees and to us saying that our words are the key to our life. They say more than we think. They speak of who controls us; are we controlled by our own fleshly desires or are we controlled by the Spirit.

In the Old Testament story of Jacob and Esau, Genesis 25 Esau was a hunter of wild game; he was a man’s man. One day when he came in from the field he was very hungry; his brother Jacob who was less of an outdoorsy person had stayed at home, and cooked some stew. The Bible says that when Esau saw the stew he desired it, and because he was following the leading of his stomach. He told his brother Jacob that he could have his birthright as the firstborn for a bowl of stew. Therefore, he gave up his right to his inheritance because of the words he spoke.  There is a lot of similarity between the story of Esau and that of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The prodigal son however, was received back because he realized, and repented of his sins before the father.

Jesus said in Mark 3:28-29, “Truly, I say to you all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”  The words we speak have eternal consequences because with our words we prove ourselves!

Father, I ask that You help me keep watch over my mouth. That the words I say will always bring You glory, and encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.            

The image above may be found at:

http://www.clipartheaven.com/show/clipart/politics_&_elections/speaker_on_tree_stump-gif.html