My Dearest Sister,
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a bit of an obsession with words. Their various meanings, spellings, and contexts have always fascinated me. Even though there are only twenty six letters in the English alphabet, when they are combined in different ways they can create over a quarter of a million words, each one unique. And when these words are combined again into sentences they create something that allows for the expression of thoughts and communication. Twenty-six letters structured in specific ways create language, without which we could not exist in the same capacity as we do today. Words, you see, are immensely powerful things. It is no wonder that God advises us to be careful with our words. After all, He is the One who gave us the ability to speak, so He more than anyone knows the capability of our tongues, both for good and for evil.
Because words and sin often go hand in hand, there are many instances in which God warns us about the potential danger in our tongues. Proverbs 10:19 says that “in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Words just fly out so easily sometimes don’t they? Even the ones we didn’t mean to say. That’s the problem with words; Once we speak them, they can’t be unspoken. This is precisely why the Lord warns us against not restraining our lips. He would rather us be silent and righteous than chatty and sinful. James 3:5-6 tells us a little more about just how dangerous our speech can be: “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things… [It] is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” The enemy loves it when we we are nasty with our words because it can have such a broad effect in every area of our lives. Sinful speech is pervasive, like a forest fire, and once it spreads it is incredibly hard to control. That’s why we are warned so strongly against letting our tongues run wild. What’s more, our fiery words have lasting consequences. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:36-37 that we will be held accountable in the judgement for every idle word we speak. “By your words you will be justified,” He says, “and by your words you will be condemned.” Our words, no matter how trivial they may seem in the moment, will stick with us until we meet God face to face. We will then have to answer for everything we have spoken, both the good and the bad. That may be something to think about the next time you find yourself tempted to say something that you know won’t please the Lord.
So we see that God is very adamant about having control over our words. But why has He made them so important that they touch our very souls? Why are the consequences so great and the dangers so high? Our words mean a lot to God because they are directly related to the state of our hearts. In Matthew 12:34-35, the same passage mentioned above, Jesus says the following: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” So it’s not so much about the words themselves, sister, as it is about the heart behind the words. If we are good and godly, as God says we are to be, then shouldn’t our words be filled with good treasure? If not, then what does that say about the state of our hearts?
The only way to fix a sinful tongue then, is to fix the sinful heart first. How do we accomplish such a monumental task as that? Well, if what is coming out our hearts are sinful, evil things then it stands to reason that what is going into our hearts are sinful, evil things. We have to change the input to get a different output. This is why God’s word instructs us in Philippians 4:8 to meditate on all things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, everything of good report, of any virtue, and that are praiseworthy. We can’t expect our words to glorify and please the Lord if what we are exposing our hearts to isn’t glorifying and pleasing to Him as well. This kind of meditation on all things good is not an easy task. The world can very easily fill our hearts with all kinds of nasty, rotten things that displease the Lord if we don’t pay attention. That’s why we are admonished as followers of Christ to be set apart, to be in the world and not of the world. Sometimes this requires a lifestyle change. Maybe it means you need to find a different job, or a new circle of friends, or give up a certain television show or listen to more uplifting music. The point is, if it’s not pleasing to the Lord, then we shouldn’t be focusing our thoughts on it. Instead, we should seek out ways to fill our time with things that are glorifying to the Lord, like studying the Word, earnestly praying at His feet, fellowshipping with other believers, and ministering wherever God has placed you. Only when our hearts are full of God’s good treasure will our tongues follow suit.
I encourage you, dear sister, to really examine the way you have been using your words. Are they uplifting and glorifying to the Lord? Or are they a symptom of a larger heart problem? If you see any area that needs work – as I know I have – please don’t get discouraged. Remember that we have all fallen short, repent of your sinful speech, and seek out the grace God so willingly provides. Then ask Him to examine your heart, removing any evil treasure, and show you how to fill it with His good treasure instead. I pray that you will leave those sinful, impulsive lips behind and embrace the words of Psalm 35:28: “And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness, and Your praise all the day long.”
With much love and encouragement,
~ Lauren Titcomb