The Power of Our Words

James 3:1-12

"1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

You've heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words will never hurt me." Unfortunately, this statement isn't true. Sticks and stones may cause the body to bruise for a few days, but words can hurt our spirit for many years. Our words have power: to heal and to hurt.

Look at Psalm 19:14 and Proverbs 12:18

"14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

"18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Was there a time in your life when the words of another person deeply wounded you? What was the impact?

Now was there a time when you were the one to speak words of hurt or anger to someone else? Did you cause harm to that person?

In both instances, how did what you say affect your relationship? How did you each respond?


James recognizes this impact of speech in verse 10.
"10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

The word "conversation" in the New Testament does not refer to our speech as much as our conduct or behavior. (Ephesians 4:22, Philippians 1:27). However, the two are closely related. Our "speech" reflects our "conversation" because it shows what is in our hearts.

Look at Matthew 12:35 and 15:18-20

"12 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

"18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

There's a saying that says, "Our words are a window to our heart." Do you think this is true?

Based on what the above verses state, yes. Angry words come from an angry heart. A profane person uses vile speech. A loving person speaks graciously with kind and loving words. Those we meet can tell if we are Christians by our speech as well as our actions. Both can enhance or destroy our witness. Colossians 4:5-6 states,

"5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Time to reflect for a second. Think back over the past week. Were your words: sweet or bitter? Did they build up or tear down? Encourage or discourage? Praise or criticize? Show respect or disdain? Display purity or profanity? Reflect Christianity or hypocrisy?

Do you display more positive or negative patterns of speech?

The Response:

James warns, "the tongue no man can tame." (v. 8) Fortunately for us, the Spirit of God in our lives can control EVEN the unruly tongue. Look at Isaiah 28:11 and Acts 2:4.

"11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people."

"4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them."

Obviously it's of no coincidence that God chose the tongue as a sign of the infilling of His Spirit.
As we yield ourselves to Him, we yield control of our speech patterns as well.

Will you yield?