The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Each of us goes through life with a remarkable power right under our nose. That power is so great that it is capable of producing life or death depending on how we use it. Our words are so powerful that they can bless or curse, encourage or discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up.

Our words can even influence the way we act and feel as well as determine our attitude and outlook on life. That's right, this powerful weapon is the tongue and its ammunition is the words we speak. The Bible tells us in James 3:8-9: "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the likeness (image) of God."

Yes, the Bible says that nobody can tame the tongue; however, with the help of the Holy Spirit, you and I can be saved from the destructive power of our own words. This is an extremely important issue. What a lot of heartache would be saved if we would take heed to this and learn to put a restrain on our tongues otherwise, it is as dangerous as sparks in a timber factory. 

To recognize the importance of self-discipline, will prove to be a saving virtue. People sometimes claim: "It is impossible for me to control what I say. It slips out before I realize what I've said."  This is nonsense, of course, for what we say is the result of what we choose to say. Sometimes we may feel as though we have no control over what we say, but that is all it is, a feeling. 

In order to control our mouth, we must first control our thoughts. Right and wrong thinking is the basis for controlling our words. It's the simplest principle, yet it's the most difficult area in our lives to discipline. No wonder the enemy tries to bombard our minds with evil thoughts of doubt, fear, and discouragement. The thought coming into one's mind is the initial data or original idea.

After the thought arrives, one must decide what to do with it. If the person continues to dwell on the thought, it turns into an imagination or image. And if this person imagines too long, the imagination turns into a stronghold and starts controlling his/her life.

Where do thoughts come from, we may ask. Well, thoughts can come from one of three places: from our five senses, from the devil, or from the Holy Spirit. The devil and our five senses operate through our mind while God operates through our spirit. 

We face a constant power struggle. While we have the Word of God coming into our hearts, the devil is putting thoughts into our minds against the knowledge of God. It is our job to cast down this wrong thinking. Perhaps you've cast them down so many times that you feel your caster's worn out. Well, the good news is that you don't have to keep wrestling with these bad thoughts, but instead replace them with good thoughts. You can reprogram your mind with good thoughts, then anything that comes against them will be cast down.

Let us pray that we see that the things we do and say are not the result of compulsion but of choice. We are free to obey or free to disobey. Let us use our freedom in the right way.

By Tim Pedrosa

FURTHER STUDY:
James 3:1-18; 1:5; Luke 21:15; Proverbs 18:15-21
Related pages: The Power of Persuasion  ;Words Can Heal and Words Can Harm