Has Your Mouth Run Amok?

As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I could reach out and grab them out of the air to drag them back. 

A wave of dread washed over me as I saw my words had already hit their mark. I knew I had been too harsh. I tried to backtrack, to rephrase things more kindly, but the damage was done. I had been thoughtless. No amount of regret could completely erase the hurt I had caused. 

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Some of my biggest regrets involve words I wish I’d never said. When I think back to those incidents, it’s like being transported through time: I’m filled with as much dread, shame, and embarrassment as the day the words escaped from my lips. 

I’m certain I’m not the only one. 

Although it’s probably true of some more than others, we all regret certain things we’ve said in the past. Maybe what we said was hurtful to another person, or perhaps we just sounded silly and embarrassed ourselves. We’ve also probably been on the receiving end of thoughtless words on more than one occasion. In any case, all of us know the power of an untamed tongue.

Scripture makes it clear that our words are important to God. Words are a barometer of the heart, and we can either use them for destruction or encouragement, for worship or for cursing.  James 3, in particular, does not mince words when it comes to the danger presented by a mouth run amok, but it also provides hope for believers to grow in this area.

Destructive + Dishonoring

The tongue is a small part of the body, yet still powerful in its ability to guide the rest of the body: even to disaster (v. 2-5). James compares the tongue to a blazing fire, a stubborn stain, an untamable beast, and a poison (v. 6-8). Without restraint, our words will quickly get out of our control and damage our reputation and relationships with others. We also dishonor God when we use our mouths for both blessing and cursing. Our evil, thoughtless words pollute our praise: 

With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater?
James 3:9-11

As a dear friend of mine amusingly put it, this is the Bible’s way of saying: “You kiss your mama with that mouth?!”, except instead of disrespecting our mother, we're disrespecting God. Thoughtless words directed at God’s image-bearers not only hurt the hearer but also offend the one who created them. For the believer, that should be a deeply sobering statement. 

It’s obvious we’re meant to take these warnings to tame our tongues very seriously. But how?

At first glance, it may seem like James isn’t being very helpful at all. In verses 2 and 8, he basically promises that it’s impossible for a sinful human being to flawlessly control the tongue. 

Thanks, James. That sounds pretty hopeless. 

Thankfully, the remainder of the chapter reveals the cause of imprudent speech to lead the reader to the cure. 

Cause + Cure

Verses 13-16 contrast selfish ambition and humble wisdom. Respectively, they are the cause and the cure of foolish words. 

An unrestrained tongue is evidence of a self-seeking heart. Such a heart will pour out boasting and lies and eventually lead to disaster and “every vile practice” (v. 16). Our words are a measure of the health of our hearts because that is where they begin. When we allow sinful desires (like selfish ambition) to fester in our hearts, disgusting, evil words will pour out of our mouths. But, when our hearts cherish wisdom and righteousness, our words will be characterized by goodness:

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 
Luke 6:24

Where evil, thoughtless words come from a selfish heart, godly words come from godly wisdom. That wisdom is a gift that comes from God above, who reveals it to us through Scripture and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom leads to an abundance of righteousness: 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:17-18

Wisdom makes itself known in actions and words that are characterized by purity, peace, reasonableness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity. When we humbly seek to bring peace instead of conflict, the result will be bountiful righteousness expressed in our words and deeds. 

I don’t know about you, but I continue to mess up in this area, even though I’ve been a believer for most of my life. Even as Christians, we still speak before we think and wish we could take back our words. We may also feel the sting of thoughtless comments directed at us from believing brothers and sisters. In those times, we must remember that God’s love and mercy are without end, and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). We should be quick to repent when we allow sin to take root in our hearts and spill out in our words. We must also readily forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ who injure us with their words, as God forgives us, knowing that they have the same spiritual battles to fight that we do. 

Jesus’ death on the cross cleanses us of all unrighteousness, including our sinful words. His sacrifice gives us access to God the Father, who will generously grant us wisdom when we ask for it (James 1:5). Because of Jesus, we are also filled with the Holy Spirit, who changes our very hearts and desires to be more like Christ. This enables us to turn wisdom into God-honoring words and actions.

As God continues to transform us into the likeness of Christ, His Word, and the Holy Spirit will fill us with wisdom that pervades everything we say and do. 

Father, thank you for the powerful gift of our words. So often, we have used them unwisely. We repent with humility because we have used our mouths to hurt others and dishonor you. Thank you for sending your Son to redeem us, so that we can receive forgiveness. Please use your Holy Word to fill us with wisdom, and send us wise teachers who we can learn from. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can grow in wisdom that makes itself known in our words and deeds. Let the things we say and do be characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, fruitfulness, impartiality, and sincerity, so that we may reap a harvest of righteousness in peace for your glory. Make us more like Christ, especially in our words, so that our lives become an act of worship that glorifies you. Amen.

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Respond

What are your practical tips to tame the tongue? How do you pursue growth in the area of wisdom? 

A New Heart, a New Spirit, a New Home

Do you ever wish there was a reset button for your day? Or maybe your life?

We make the same mistakes over and over again and think we can never change. We give in to worry, anger, pride, envy, laziness, or any number of sins, and we feel trapped. We are ashamed and feel separated from God. 

Even believers feel this way sometimes because they have forgotten the freedom they have in the Gospel: Jesus provides our reset button. 

Prophesies made to Israel in the Old Testament point us forward to this hope that we have in Jesus. In Him, every believer has freedom from sin, having received a new heart, a new spirit, and a new home.

God's People Needed a Reset

When Ezekiel was a prophet among God’s people, they definitely needed a reset. Their kings had failed, leading the entire nation into sin. They rebelled against God, disobeying His law and worshiping idols. Eventually, discord even caused them to split up into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. But dividing the kingdom did nothing to resolve their sin problem. They were stuck in their sin. Because of their faithlessness, God allowed first Israel, then Judah, to be captured by their enemies and taken into exile. 

In Ezekiel 36:22-24, God used His prophet, who was living in exile in Babylon, to assure the people that He would save them and restore them to their land. He would do it, not because they deserved it, but so that he could bring Himself glory among His people and all the nations. 

He went on to say in verses 25-28 that He would cleanse them from their sin and give them new hearts and spirits that delighted in obedience. He promised to make them a home in the land of their fathers and to dwell with them as their God.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules, You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 
Ezekiel 36:22-28

Jesus Provides Our Reset

These promises were not just for God’s people living in exile during the 6th century B.C.. This prophecy predicts more than a return to a physical place, but the restoration of all of God’s people (including you and me) to a right relationship with God. Even if you feel trapped by sin, restoration is made possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

A New Heart

Jesus’ blood washes and cleanses us from our sin. The sinless Son of God takes on our transgressions so that we might be seen as righteous before the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Instead of hearts that are hardened in rebellion, we are given new, soft hearts that will respond to God’s just and gracious leadership. 

A New Spirit

The Spirit of God dwells inside us so that we can be sanctified: transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). God’s law is written on our hearts so that our very desires change: we delight to do His will (Psalm 40:8). 

A New Home

We are also not rejected or sent away from God. Instead, we are welcomed into His family as dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1). We are also promised a future, perfect, eternal home with Him on the New Earth:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4

Have Hope

If you feel trapped in sin today, remember the promises God has given to each and every believer. We have a new heart, a new spirit, and a new home, so that we don’t have to feel stuck anymore. We have hope. Jesus gave us a reset. If we pray that God will remind us of these truths and give us faith to believe them, He will faithfully do so as He continues to transform us into the image of Christ.

Precious Father, thank you for sending your son to make me clean from my sin. Help me not to be tempted by sin and worldly idols, but fulfill your promise to make me more like Christ: a brand new person.  Give me a new heart that is soft and responsive to your Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that my greatest desire is to obey you with joy and gratitude. Thank you for adopting me into your family, and preparing a home for me in eternity. Amen.

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Respond

How should our understanding of the new heart, spirit, and home that Jesus offers change the way we live? How can we remind ourselves of this truth when we feel stuck in sin?

Pressing Forward When You Feel Insignificant

Do you ever feel like your contributions to God’s Kingdom don’t make a difference?

In a world filled with billions of people, it’s easy to feel like one person can’t make much of a godly impact.  Any believer may spend years spreading the Gospel in their circle of influence through word and deed, yet be discouraged by a lack of obvious fruit.

I know I’ve felt that way about my blog at times throughout the last year. 

When I started this project, I knew that God was prompting me to use my writing abilities purposefully to reach other people. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time writing, learning more about blogging, and, most importantly, study God’s Word and learning to teach it rightly. 

I know that this is what I’m supposed to be doing, and I've been personally blessed by how consistent writing about God's Word. It has stretched my abilities and my faith. Still, I can’t always perceive how my writing impacts other people. I’m often tempted to judge my success based on my audience size or how many comments I get, and I become discouraged to the point that I wonder if I should keep going. I doubt that I am making a difference.

What about you?

You might not be a writer, but you may face similar discouragement in your own ministry or area of influence. Pastors and other church leaders may be tempted to judge their success solely by the number of people that their church baptizes in a year, overlooking the important (and somewhat unmeasurable) task of helping existing believers to mature and deepen their relationship with Christ. A mom might try to measure the quality of her mothering by how many fits her child throws in a day and feel like a failure, losing sight of his steadily growing love for the Lord.

We will become discouraged when we expect the Gospel seeds we plant to sprout up instantly. That’s just not the way it works. When faced with that temptation, these three encouraging truths can give us hope to press forward: God promises a harvest to faithful sewers, we are a part of the Body of Christ, and God’s Word always fulfills His purpose. 

God Promises a Harvest to Faithful Sowers

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

In Galatians 6:9, Paul reminded the Galatian believers that they would reap a harvest from their good works, but in due season.

Where I live, pumpkins are not usually harvested in April, and strawberries don’t ripen in December. Seeds also don’t become fully mature plants overnight. As Paul exhorted the Galatians, we also must not grow weary and give up on the seeds we are planting! As we share the Gospel with unbelievers or dig into it with those who already know Christ, we must wait patiently to see the fruit of our labor. In due time, the fruit will appear. God promises that there will be a harvest when believers are faithfully sowing the Gospel in word and deed.

We Are a Part of the Body of Christ

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:4-5

When we feel like our impact for God’s Kingdom is too small to be significant, we should be encouraged by the fact that we are just one small part of the global Church. We are not individually responsible for accomplishing God’s work in the world! It’s too big a task for one person. 

The family of God is also strengthened by the contributions of each individual member. No one person or their gifting is insignificant. This is one reason why it’s so important for believers not just to attend and be members of their local church, but to serve there as well! We must also continue to work diligently in the ministries we have outside the walls of our local churches: in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Individuals matter because their contributions benefit the entire body of Christ, even when they appear small. 

God’s Word Always Fulfills His Purpose

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11

Only the Holy Spirit can produce faith in the unbeliever and maturity in a believer. We are responsible for serving and sharing God’s Word with those in our sphere of influence, but God is always sovereign over the outcome. Our words and actions, and we will be held accountable for them, but God produces the result. He will accomplish His will in His own way and time, without fail. Remember, His strength is made perfect in our weakness, so even when we feel like utter failures in our ministries, He will fill us with His strength to His own glory. 

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Reflecting back on exactly one year of this blog, I know that a few people have been encouraged by what I’ve written. If it’s God’s will, I would love for the audience of this blog to expand so that it can encourage more and more people to grow in their love for Jesus. That’s my hope, but I know that God is sovereign over the harvest. I have just a small part to play in the work of the global church, and that’s okay. The fruit that comes from my writing will grow according to God’s perfect will. That’s enough to keep me writing.

I hope that you, too, will press forward without growing weary of the ministry God has called you to. Whether you serve God as an office worker, a teacher, a ministry leader, or a mom, your contribution to God's kingdom will be significant if you keep your eyes on Christ and obey Him. 

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Respond

Do you ever feel like your contributions to God’s Kingdom don’t make a difference? How do you fight discouragement in your ministry at home, your workplace, your church, or in your community? Are there any scripture passages that encourage you when you doubt that what you're doing matters?