James dedicated a chapter in his book to a teaching on taming the tongue. He makes reference to a horse who is led by a bit which is used by a rider to steer their body. He makes similar reference to a large ship, which is steered by a small rudder. The tongue is a small member of the body, yet it is a powerful member. James compares the tongue to a small flame which can set an entire forest ablaze. He mentioned the tongue being able to control our entire bodies and at times being set on fire from hell. What a person says out of their mouth can determine the outcome of their life and affect their purpose and destiny.
James said that every kind of beast of the field can be tamed by men. “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). With our tongues we praise and bless the Lord and with the same tongue, we curse people who are made in the image and likeness of God. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). What if we spent more time praying about the things that we don’t like about people? And make sure that you do not discount your prayers by speaking condemnation while you praying.
We have to challenge ourselves to speak life and confess what we would like to see manifested in people. It does not mean that we are lying, being in denial or refusing to be honest. We are speaking into existence what we want to see manifested. “as it is written, “who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). We have to be consistent as we cannot speak faith one day and speak doubt the next day. Persistent faith requires that we speak light into the darkness and speak life in the face or adversity.
Remember that there is a spirit world that exist around our words. The Devil will use our negative words against us and cause to manifest what we speak out of frustration. The angels also wait to carry out our words spoken from the word of God. If you don’t want it to manifest, then don’t speak it.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 