Controlling the Tongue - Food for Thought - All Creatures Guide to Kingdom Living - life, heaven, earth, peace, justice, Bible study, discussion, commentary, God, Christ, Christian, Jewish, Jesus, Holy Spirit, vegetarian, vegetarianism, vegan, veganism, cruelty free, love, comp

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Christian Living
True Christian living requires us to live according to Kingdom standards which bring Heaven to earth

Food for Thought

Controlling the Tongue
By: Laurie Ousley, ND, CNH

James 1:19-20, 26

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. . . . If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Matthew 12:34, 36-37

"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. . . . But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

How many of you can remember that child's song "Be careful little ears what you hear"? One of the verses is "Be careful little mouth what you say". We can all probably remember the children's rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me." That, I fear, is one of the biggest lies that we ever learn. Words can hurt just as much as any physical harm, in fact, the repercussions can last a lifetime. Imagine what would happen if the words we spoke were to mimic the words of Jesus. Not just the actual words, but the tone of voice, the body language, the look in the eyes and the love behind the words. Too often, we lash out at our family, our children, our spouse, our parents, our neighbors, the stranger in the car that just cut us off! What if instead, we held our tongue and stopped to consider the impact our words might have on that person's willingness to accept the gift of salvation from Jesus because of what they hear or see in our actions, after all, don't we profess to belong to Him and represent Him?

When we speak in harsh tones, with an unforgiving spirit, using language that so easily can hurt, we influence all those around us as to what a Christian is. Instead of living your life today - let Christ live His life IN you. See what a difference it can make in your relationships with others - but even more so in your relationship with Him.

In His Service,

Laurie

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