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Tongue: Agent of Life or Death

 

Song:

Lord I want to be like Jesus, inner my heart (2x)
Inner my heart (4x)
Lord I want to be like Jesus, inner my heart.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
       and those who love it will eat its fruit.

  22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
       and receives favour from the LORD.

  23 A poor man pleads for mercy,
       but a rich man answers harshly.

  24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
       but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(Proverbs 18:21-24).

Your future partner depends on how you use your tongue. Your relationship with friends is also dependent on how you use your tongue.

The moral upbringing of your children, progress in your place of work/business, success in your studies and in fact your future prospects all depend on how you use your tongue. You can ruin your life is you use your tongue wrongly or say negative words concerning yourself.

Tongue though a little member of the body can be used for blessing, for comforting, consolation. It brings respect and shows your kindness, restore people back to commitment and encourage people who are downtrodden.

Unfortunately, people use their tongue in a negative way.

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6).

  1. The tongue is like fire, it can burn people.
  2. The tongue is like a razor blade (think about a child playing with a razor blade, if not checked, he will eventually hurt himself), it can cut people really deep.
  3. The tongue is like a hammer (if that carpenter does not use it carefully and ensure it hits the nail straight on its head, then it will slip and hit his hand), it can knock people down. It can shatter people like a hammer shattering rock.
  4. The tongue is like a stone (think about little children throwing stones indiscriminately at each other, if not stopped, the stone can cause serious body injury), it can hit people badly.

Wrong use of the tongue

  1. We talk any how, rubbish things. Some people talk without thinking. Some people claim to be the master of themselves and so no one can advice them. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips —who is our master?" (Psalm 12:3-4).

    Surrender everything to Christ even your tongue. Do not talk as you want to your wife, husband, superiors and even subordinates.
  2. We talk too much and we are bound to transgress. “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19).

    Refrain from talking too much in every situation: in sickness, when hungry, when jobless, disappointed and offended by people. Be careful too not boast and brag even in times of huge achievement.
  3. Calamities that you cannot expiate (restore) can befall you by how you use your tongue.

    You remember all the ranting and empty threats issued by Pharaoh and what eventually befell him: Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:2).

    What about the arrogant King Nebuchadnezzar? The rest they is story.

    30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"
    31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." (Daniel 4:30-32).

Exhortation

Learn to control your tongue even when people lied against you and wrongly accused you.

Remember Hannah who was barren; even though Eli accused her of drunkenness because of the way she was praying at the temple, she never flared up but she spoke calmly and she eventually got the blessing of the same Eli. I can imagine others saying how a man like this can bless me after being so insensitive to my feelings? But two wrongs can never make a right:

13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

  15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

  17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:13-17).

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14).

5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
8 He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated. (Ecclesiasticus 20:5-8).

13 A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.
14 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.

15 The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.
16 The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.
17 It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.
18 It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.
19 The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.
20 He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.
21 The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.
22 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.
23 Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.
24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.
25 The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.
26 Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame. (Ecclesiasticus 20:5-8).

 

God bless you

 Evang. John B. Oseh