Of Words and Responsibility

James 3:8-12

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs?  Nor can salt water produce fresh."

     I've been realizing that we have a great responsibility with the words we choose or choose not to speak to one another.  

We don't realize the power we have in what we say to one another.  

     Not only does our speech reflect upon our Heavenly Father who we follow, but the consequences of our hurtful or encouraging words can be great in how they affect the recipient.

     What we say can have both a positive or negative influence on others.  For example, just think of how someone's hurtful words caused you pain.  How they stuck with you, continued to injure you, until you chose to ignore them and moved on, and yet still they threatened to return. And then on the flipside, think of a time when someone's encouraging words gave you confidence, a boost in your day!  How they lived with you as a positive reminder of someone's love, or thoughtfulness.  

     Our words matter!  Luke 6:31- "Treat others the way you want them to treat you."  Let's choose to be a light to those who surround us by choosing our words wisely and lovingly.   

Cordially,      

Katherine