Today my reading is in James chapter three.  It talks about taming the tongue.  “But no man can tame the tongue.  It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10 NKJV

How many times do we let something slip that we shouldn’t or act off emotion and say something we will regret?  It could be gossip, complaining or letting our anger out in words.  The sad thing is that a lot of times we say hurtful words to the ones we love the most.  It’s so important we practice taming our tongue.  The Word also says there is life and death in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The old saying sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me was such a lie growing up.  Words hurt! A lot of times we don’t mean the words we say but they can have lasting effects on the person we say them to. 

I can remember when some of the most hurtful words were said to me one day. That morning I had gotten up to do my bible study and I felt led to read Ephesians 6, the Armor of God. I went on with my day having no idea what was to come but thankfully God did. Later that day I would need to remember, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Reading that scripture that morning prepared my heart.  I’m not going to say that my feelings were not hurt but my heart was protected.  Truly no word that was spoken pierced my heart.  I knew immediately this was not a fight against flesh and blood.  I knew this person did not mean these words.  I could forgive immediately because of that truth.  Truly God’s word sets us free.  From what? Unforgiveness in our heart.  The enemy is out to divide.  That’s what he tried to do that day. 

When those hurtful words were said that day, I also remembered what my Heavenly Father says about me.  “Michelle, you’re my daughter, a child of God, His chosen one, righteous, anointed and valued so much that I gave up my only child for you.”   WOW!!!!! I’m so glad that day I knew who I was in Christ and whose I am.  Knowing this, knowing His word changes us, it changes the outcome of situations. 

I’m praying with each day more and more I learn to watch what I say.  Whether it be complaining, gossip or words in anger.  I pray my words are life giving to people.  If you find yourself in a similar situation as mine, remember who you are, whose you are and remember who you’re fighting. Let’s be women that choose to glorify God with our words and all we do!

Michelle 🙂