Today’s 333 Devotional: “Dangerous Words”

Like toothpaste squeezed out of the tube, once words leave our mouth, once they’re out there for others to hear, we can never put nor take them back. We need to be careful; therefore, of the words we speak, because while others may forgive us, they’ll never forget.

What we say not only determines the course of our lives, but also the course of the lives of others.

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)

So instead of our words being fueled by the fires of hell let them be seasoned with the grace of God.

Solomon said that the power of life and death are in the words we speak (Proverbs 18:21).

The Apostle Paul said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Our lives, therefore, and the lives of those around us, are largely determined not only by what we say, but also in how we say it.

This was Solomon’s assessment.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly … The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:1-2, 4)

However, according to the Apostle James, no matter how hard we try we cannot tame the tongue because it is evil and full of poison (James 3:8).

So, we need to be led by the Holy Spirit and guard our mouths so that no unwholesome words issue forth.

Let’s therefore pray, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)