“A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.”

Have you ever thought “I wish I didn’t say that?” We have all had those moments when in the heat of an argument or a moment of lashing out at someone, words left our mouths that we are ever regretful of. The Apostle James is clear in his description of the tongue.

“See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! 6And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna). 7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.” James 15:1 AMP

AHHHHHH!!!!! How often we have not considered the strategic importance of controlling our tongue. Life’s have been distorted, marriages ruined, and even wars started over glib tripes that have fallen from men’s lips! It is important that we investigate the opening words of this verse. “See [by comparison]” I the preceding verse James paints a picture of the man who can control his tongue.

“For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].” James 5:2 AMP

Interesting that he pits all of the other sins as less important than controlling our lips. Look at the words he uses; “Perfect man,” “fully developed character,” “without serious flaw,” “able to bridle his own body!” WOW! We have never realized how much of an issue it is to be able to control our mouths. So what is the message?

Our verse today seems to be a simple decision made about responding with our words, but it is much more. Jesus spoke about the importance of this issue and identifies exactly where the motivation for speech comes from…the heart!

““Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.” Matthew 12:33-36 AMP

That is a scary reality that we rarely consider; “on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.” What comes out of us in the moment of anger, frustration or apparent insult is only a reflection of what has been growing in our heart. What’s been growing in yours? Anger, feelings of insult, Fires of rage, vengefulness or is the peace of God that passes understanding guarding your heart and mouth? When olive oil is made, a large stone is rolled over it crushing done so that what is inside, comes out. The most valuable oil is that of the first press! Take time today to evaluate what comes out when the stone of life rolls over you! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken