Bible Reading: Proverbs 17-18; 2 Corinthians 2
Memory verse: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
The tongue is one of the smallest part of the human body yet it is the most important. It can be used as a destructive weapon on earth; its misuse has damaged more lives than all the weapons of war or disease on this planet! The tongue can also bring some of life’s greatest joys too when used properly.
King Nebuchadnezzar used his tongue destructively He boasted with words of how wonderful and powerful he was. He became like an animal for 7 years and and it was only by the mercy of God was he preserved (Daniel 4:30-33). How many times have we used our tongues destructively and yet it seems nothing happened. In the spirit realm things actually do happen with every words we utter with our tongue! Ecclesiastes 5:6 (KJV) says, “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”
We can learn to control the tongue. As we walk with God we learn to talk godly and be godly! The Spirit becomes the outside source we don’t have internally; to help transform us into the image of Christ. If man can tame the many creatures of this planet as James 3:7 implies, he can learn some measure of control over his own tongue! It may be a difficult task … but it is not an impossible one! Like animals, it takes repetition and effort but it will show results! It requires little effort to have a hurting tongue; just speak whatever you feel from your old nature! We can, however, gain control over the tongue and make it an instrument of righteousness!
it is up to us to train our tongue, just like we train animals. Be repetitive in giving praise! Think and speak about good things using the syllabus given in Philippians 4:8 and meditate on them! Nobody can make you speak godliness; you must cooperate in the training! Learning to handle your tongue can have some of the best effects on your life! The tongue can be such a blessing under discipline! We can use it to praise God and bless His name! We can build up others by the proper and good use of the tongue! It can bring great honor to those it speaks of and to the speaker! Or the tongue can bring great pain to others and self! It can curse God as well as praise God! It can curse others as well.
It is ironic that both can come from this same member of the body but the choice is yours on how it is used. Make that choice today to the glory of God.
Action Plan: Think about all you will say today before uttering them. Bless as many as you can today with your tongue.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu