It has been a while since I've have done any blogging. Not by reason of having sufficient to say, on the contrary my heart is overflowing to write. I have simply lacked opportunity to do so. I am rather intrigued this morning through experiencing recent circumstances, the paradox of the tongue, and the sticky web of destruction ensued.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? James 3:6-12 esv
One Sunday our retired senior pastor came to church with a message of urgency he received from the Lord the night before. It was to break the curses that well meaning folk had unknowingly placed on fellow brothers and sisters that we had been fervently praying for breakthrough. The presence of God came in power as we prayed that Sunday morning, causing me to seek out more on the subject.
Its so easy to look at our neighbour and recognize the faults of others. But will we seriously take a look at our own lives and consider the fruit of our own lips. The notion that God gives us to refer to the fact that our lips bring forth fruit, would indicate that the words we speak out of our mouths are like seeds sown taking root and bringing forth a harvest. Reaping what we have sown. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the tongue? Do we really realize the power in our mouths when we speak? We either speak forth blessings or cursing, life or death. We literally set in motion a course of action for blessings with the fruit of our lips towards others, or ensnare with curses and death.
To give you an example, I had a friend in my younger years that had a little brother. My friend for whatever reason would call his little brother Satan and teased him that he was gay. He called him other not so choice names as well. If you have any wisdom at all concerning the fruit of our lips you will not be surprised when I tell you that this young man grew up to have a very difficult time with rebellion and turning his back on God. These words were constantly confessed over this boy. Of course the older brother was oblivious what the fruit of his lips would be and had no understanding that his words would produce a harvest in his brother's life. Such an unfortunate situation. I've seen other situations in peoples lives where parents peg one child in their family as the "sick child", well guess what? That child will likely be the sick child in the family. There are so many examples we could look at of words that are so easily spoken but not so easily turned back in their power to destroy. So and so is so lazy, this person is this way or that...
Judgments and criticisms will lead to the cursing of others but also produce an unwanted harvest in the life of the criticizer. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1 Is it possible that we recognize the faults of others because we are familiar with our own actions that replicate the accused?
If you feel caught in a trap of the sin of judging and cursing others, there is one simple solution! When I create the fruit of the lips: Peace to the one who is far away or near," says the LORD, "and I'll heal him. Isaiah 57:19 This is the beauty of our lowly earthly estate and the redemptive power of serving Holy God! Ask the Lord to supernaturally create the fruit of your lips! The Lord says in this scripture, "When I create the fruit of the lips!" The scripture above in James states that no man can tame the tongue, but here is the good news! God can! With man it would be impossible, but remember, with God, ALL things are possible! Oh God create the fruit of my lips to bring forth praises and blessings! Heal me and heal the others in which I have condemned! Isaiah 57:14-21 is such a beautiful scripture for those of a repentant heart. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 This is my prayer today, Lord God, cause me to be a peacemaker! Bring forth a harvest of righteousness in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.