Lethal Words

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ 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. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  

James 3:3-6 

The words we speak have so much power behind them. They can be full of life or full of death. Think about one of the most encouraging times in your life and recall what was said to you........Those words brought so much life that it left a permanent mark in your soul. It has helped you push and persevere, it has lifted you up and it has given you hope!!!

Now think on the other hand, think of a time where you were hurt by someone....those words pierced like a dagger, those words left a different kind of impression. Those words may have caused relationships to cease to exist, or individuals to lose so much value in themselves. They literally caused some aspect of life to die.

This night I was reminded the power of my own words..... As something I communicated was received in a very negative way. My words were not used for edification of another but it was used as the very cause of degrading another.

I did the drawing above a few months ago and it is called "Lethal Words" because our words do have the power of life and death. Around the perimeter of the drawing are the words found in James chapter 3. We have the ability to literally strip life from someone or to pour life into another abundantly. Let us choose the latter, for the former only brings about destruction.

May these be the words you constantly hear, words of truth and promises. "You are valued, you are perfect as you are, you are always loved, I am so proud of you, I have a plan and a future for you, you cannot do anything to strip me from my love of you, you are beautiful inside and out, you are so blessed, you are a leader amongst others, you are a servant, you are unique, you are smart, you are so helpful, you are a motivator, you are a great speaker, you are ready, you are capable, you have so much potential, you speak and others listen, you are strong, you are incredibly designed.......you are desired and loved by God.