Blessing or Curse
Back in October of last year, I wrote a Moment of JOY titled “Taming the Tongue”. Now I feel compelled to write this story on whether blessings or curses are coming out of our mouths. I see a recurring theme here! This is for me as much as it is for you, the reader.
True confessions of a real life New Englander here. I love Jesus, but I cuss a little. I’m not making excuses, but I will tell you that where I’m from, foul language is normal in every day conversation. I’ve had to learn to get rid of the New England accent and I’m still working on the foul language. I have a very good friend, also from New England, (you know who you are) that also has this problem and when we get around each other… oh boy!
When I get to thinking about it, I imagine Jesus just shaking his head in disappointment at this language. So what does the Bible tell us about cussing?
Ephesian 4:29 says: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
1 Peter 3:10 says: “For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.””
I know that my words are not always an encouragement to those who hear them. As believers, we are always under such scrutiny to begin with, and using foul language just seems to add fuel to the fire. Our words, language, demeanor and behavior all need to speak to the goodness of God!
James chapter 3 is all about taming the tongue and tells us that fresh water and salt water cannot come from the same spring. We cannot praise God and curse His people out of the same mouth. He does not desire this for us!
Luke 6:45 says: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
So, if the Holy Spirit is in us, shouldn’t that be evident in what comes out of us as well? What is the condition of our hearts? Think about all the opportunities we have throughout the day to make a small impact on those around us. Sometimes just a smile can change someone’s day; just imagine what encouraging words can do!
Let’s speak blessings into the world, not cursing. Just maybe it will be enough to plant a seed in someone’s life that they may come to know the Lord. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. You never know the long-term effects of the words we speak today. Speak life!
*Amy de Graaff is the Listener Engagement Specialist with The JOY FM. She and her husband reside in Newnan. She is a child of God, animal lover and adventure seeker. You can reach her at: [email protected]