September 15, 2024
Greenville, South Carolina
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Dear friends, there is a very small organ that can do a lot of destruction. And this organ is our tongue. Apostle James in his epistle in chapter 3 gives the following definitions of the human tongue: unruly evil, set on fire by hell, and full of deadly poison.
The tongue can embellish, exaggerate, lie, deceive, mislead, slander, gossip, talk nonsense, speak empty words, boast, constantly joke, and do many other things.
What does our life look like in this regard? Do you walk before God, watching your tongue? Does it exude a blessing or a curse, poison or balm, foolishness or wisdom? In order to use this instrument wisely for the glory of God, we must learn to control ourselves, i.e. have an important characteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit – self-control.
Perhaps from someone’s perspective, political or military heroes are praised and play a huge role. This is how we, humans, look at it. However, the Lord sees it completely differently. Let us pay attention to whom He considers heroes. In the book of Proverbs it is written: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32).
Christ says: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bears what is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bears what is evil. For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45). It is the heart that reveals the essence of a person and his genuine relationship with God. If you make a rude joke and answer your neighbor impolitely, then think, dear brother or sister – what fills your heart? Does Christ reign in there?
Examine your heart before you say anything and ask yourself: With what motive or to what purpose will I say this or that? Is the information I received trustworthy? Will it serve as a blessing to my neighbor? Is this truth or error?
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
God bless you!
Max Volkov in Christ