FIRE OR FAVOR

Fire or Favor? Choose Your Words Wisely

James 3:6
"And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself."

James has been describing the amazing power of our words—our tongues. Like bits which control horses, or rudders which control ships, or sparks which start a forest-leveling fire, our tiny tongues—through the words we say with them—can do huge things, many of them greatly destructive.

Proverbs 18:6 (NLT):
"Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating."

Proverbs 15:1-2,4 (NLT):
"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
"The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.""Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

There are at least 100 scriptures dealing with the tongue and speech because words have immense power and influence in our lives and the lives of others. The Bible emphasizes this truth repeatedly for several key reasons:

Reason 1: Words Reflect the Heart:
Matthew 12:34b (NLT): "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Our words are a direct reflection of our inner thoughts, attitudes, and spiritual condition. By guiding our speech, God is helping us guard our hearts.
We may want to deal with the leaves (the easy things) of our lives, but God wants to get to the root (the transformative things).
Make the choice today to allow your words to reflect back to you, what is in your heart.
Hold this thought. Because of my relationship with God and not a religion with God, He empowers me to SEE me.

Reason 2:  Words Influence Others:
* Ephesians 4:29 (NLT): "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
* Words can build up or tear down, bring healing or cause harm. They can guide, comfort, teach, or lead astray. God wants us to use this power responsibly.

Reason 3:  Words Affect Our Relationship with God:
* Psalm 19:14 (NLT): "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
* Our speech is not just a matter of human interaction but also a form of worship and an indicator of our reverence for God.

Reason 4: Words Have Eternal Consequences:
* Matthew 12:36-37 (NLT): "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
* Jesus emphasizes that our words are not trivial. Even "idle" words—those spoken carelessly or without thought—will be judged. This highlights that speech is not just about the big, intentional statements but also the casual conversations and offhand remarks.
* Idle Words: The term "idle" refers to words that are empty, unproductive, or even harmful. These could be gossip, negativity, lies, or meaningless chatter. It underscores the principle that our speech should have purpose, whether to encourage, build up, or convey truth.

Reason 5: Words Can Bring Healing or Destruction:
* Proverbs 12:18 (NLT): "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
* Our speech has the power to heal wounds or deepen them. This is why scripture often contrasts wise and foolish speech.
* Words heal through encouragement, comfort, reconciliation and guidance
* Words deepen wounds through criticism and insults, gossip and slander, negativity and manipulation

Reason 6: Words Shape Our Identity and Future:
* Proverbs 13:3 (NLT): "Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything."
* The way we speak can influence our path in life, affecting relationships, opportunities, and even our spiritual growth.

Reason 7:  The Tongue is Difficult to Tame:
* James 3:7-8 (NLT): "People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison."
* The Bible acknowledges the difficulty of controlling our speech, showing why it requires intentionality and the help of the Holy Spirit.

Reason 8: Words Can Be a Tool of Spiritual Warfare:
* Ephesians 6:17 (NLT): "Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
* Scripture itself is the Word of God, used to combat lies and darkness. Our words, when aligned with God’s truth, can also fight against spiritual attacks.

Reason 9: Words as a Means of Witnessing:
* Colossians 4:6 (NLT): "Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
* Our words are a primary way we share the gospel and reflect Christ to the world. They need to be seasoned with grace.
* What does "seasoned with grace" look like? - I receive grace. I give out grace.

Reason 10: Speech as a Measure of Maturity:
* Proverbs 10:19 (NLT): "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."
* The ability to control one’s tongue is often seen as a mark of wisdom and spiritual maturity.

In Conclusion:
God’s repeated emphasis on speech throughout scripture serves as a reminder to continually evaluate and discipline our words. It shows the high standard God sets for us to use our tongues as instruments of His love, truth, and grace.

The Our challenge this week
* Be mindful of what you say and how you say it.
   1. Colossians 4:6
* Strive for words that bring life, not harm.
   1. Ephesians 4:29
* Regularly evaluate the state of your heart since it directly influences your speech. 
   1. 2 Corinthians 13:5

AMEN
Staying Unified. We Thrive in 2025