THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 4 – Sunday, 26th January, 2020
THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS TONGUE
TEXT: James 3:6-13
‘’Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof’’ (Proverbs 18:21). He who puts his tongue to a vile use shall reap sorrow and regrets, while a bridled tongue ‘seasoned with salt’ shall always bring joy and sound health to the user.
Had Moses bridled his tongues at the instance of Israel’s provocation, he wouldn’t have lost the hope of a lifetime. Wrong use of the tongue brought leprosy on Miriam, who had led the daughters of Israel to ‘Sing… to the Lord’s in the wilderness. Had they kept quiet, the ten spies would have brought the thousands, who murmured, to the Promised Land. Men who are quick to talk usually get themselves into troubles. ‘’… let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…’’ (James 1:19). He that is not slow to speak oftentimes becomes swift to act.
The tongues is a little member in the body. When it is untamed, it rules and ruins the entire body. Tame your tongue and your life will run its full course without sorrows and pains. Every man’s tongue must be healed if ‘’ … he … will love life, and see good days…’’ (1 Peter 3:10).
Total healing and health of the tongue begins from the heart. The spiritual state of the heart determines the freshness or otherwise unhealthiness of the tongue ‘’…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh’’ (Matthew 12:34).
The first step towards refining the tongue is to identify the spiritual state of the heart. Has the heart been truly converted and thoroughly sanctified? Except the Refiner’s fire refines and purifies the heart, the product of the lips will be odious to men’s ears.
Secondly, after the heart has been purified, the believer must deliberately put his tongue under subjection through undying and enduring consecration.
Thirdly, the believer will need to study to be quiet to do his business. He will need to put some personal effort to bridle his tongue. Before getting involved in any discussion or conversation, he will need to weigh the worth of each word in his heart, if the discussion is such without any eternal value, he will need to refuse to be dragged into it(1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Fourthly, where he has to speak, he should ensure that his words are couched in wisdom and ‘seasoned with salt’, that is gracious (Colossians 4:6).
Tremendous blessing accrue to the believer whose tongue is totally tamed.. His life is full of goodness and good health (Proverbs 13:3,21,23; James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:10). He becomes a channel of blessings to other people. His words usher grace into his hearer’s heart. His words inspire others to good actions. He comforts, encourages and edifies his hearers and brings the wayward into the way of salvation (Colossians 4:6; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 50:4; Proverbs 12:18).
IN THE END: There is a flow of blessings into the life of a believer whose tongue is tamed.
Question and answer:
‘’Your blood is on your head for your own mouth has testified against you’’ to whom was this said and what happened to him?
A. An Amalekite, He was killed
HYMN: Thy word is a lamp to my feet
PRAY NOW:
1. Father set a watch over my tongue, I shall not offend you through my tongue this year.
2. Every word I have ever spoken that has brought reproach or condemnation unto me father erase them today.
3. Father hide all of your words in my heart, I want to live only by them.
4. Father Baptize me with your wisdom. I shall not regret my words, decisions and choices this year.
5. My life shall run without sorrows and pains in the mighty name of Jesus.
6. Father lift up the aeroplane of Express Image Glory Now.
Israel Ade Raymond Ebo
