Why I Must Watch What I Say - Part 1

1) My Tongue Directs Where I Go –

James 3:3-4 says, “When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body . . . ”

James warns us that even though the tongue is tiny, it has great power. A 95 pound jockey can turn an 1800 pound horse anywhere he wants it to go and a several thousand ton vessel can be turned by a very small rudder. Likewise, a word can determine the direction of your life. A harsh, critical word can destroy a marriage, a child, a friend and set them on a destructive path; speaking negative things about ourselves (“I am fat;” “I am dumb;”) or others (“You are stupid;” “You can’t do anything;”) can cause us to believe and act on what we have heard; people receive either a low self image or a proper self image – much depends on what others say about them.

We can slander, lie, curse, hurt, and destroy people simply by a word, and the rest of their life will be affected. We can choose to build, encourage, say complimentary things, bless people – their lives will change direction and be productive and fulfilled.

Many wonderful people with productive careers have been destroyed by a few words and many hopeless people have become productive and great contributors to society because of a few words.

How will you use that small instrument - your tongue - to effect the people in your path today? Will they move in more productive and loving directions because of your words or will they withdraw, become discouraged, and defeated because of your words? Today, you have a choice.

Making choices with you ~ Bob