Life and death are in the power of the tongue
                                                                         by Cheryl DeBose

Let me tell you about something that happened to me recently.  I was going along in my everyday Christian walk, admittedly with a bit of complacency when one day I said something to someone without a lot of thought.  Well, I am still living with the consequences of giving voice to my thoughts to the wrong person at the wrong time and I am afraid that I may suffer the consequences of my limited foresight well into the forseeable future.  Has that ever happened to you?  You say something and immediately you wish you hadn't said it?  I learned a very valuable lesson that day that I would like to share with you. 

Once words are released into the atmosphere, they cannot be retracted.  We can apologise, etc., but the words are already out there forever.  Our words reflect who we are - our character, our thoughts, our feelings, our very nature.  We reveal to all within earshot who we are by our words.  Our words are a reflection of the state of our souls.  As Christian women, I think we understand very well that we are women of purpose, women of destiny who do not live by the world's standards.  The Bible is our standard for living.  As women of Aglow, I think we also know that we are in a position of influence in the place where the Lord has planted us.  Given our positions in the world, it becomes vitally important that the words we speak are chosen with care.  Ask yourself, "What is it that I wish to convey to the world about who I am in Christ?"  Is it our desire to be a manifestation of the love of Jesus Christ?  Is it our desire to showcase to the world what it means to a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led woman of God?  If this is so, then I submit to you that we must be very careful with our words. 

I heard a pastor say, "We cannot speak the devil's words and expect heaven's results.  The devil knows the potential in our tongue for evil.  That's why he's after it."  That statement speaks for itself.  Don't give the enemy an inch.  We want all the best God has for us; we want His hand of wholeness on our lives; we want His anointing manifested in our lives.  Let's determine then, to agree with His Word, not the enemy's words. 

james 3:3-6; 9-10 (a very familiar passage of scripture) says, "when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or, take ships, for example.  Although they are so large and are drivin by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder whereever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body but it makes great boasts.  Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire and is itself set on fire by hell.  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in God's likeness.  "Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.  My brother (and sisters), this should not be."

The tongue can seem to have "a mind of its own" but the truth is, we have full control over the words we choose to speak.  We can "take captive every thought" and determine to speak words that edify, words that  bring healing, life and peace.  We can determine to tap into the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us in Isaiah 11:2.  We have the Blood-bought right to do so.  It is the Father's good pleasure to give us these gifts.  We can ask for and receive wisdom, knowledge, counsel, power, understanding and the fear of the Lord.  When these gifts are in full operation in our lives, we are transformed and come into the fullness of our destiny and our words will reflect this transformed state of mind.

Each day since the "incident" I mentioned earlier, I have determined to pray Ps. 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."  I want to be continually reminded of Prov 10:19 "When words are many, sin abounds, but he who holds his tongue is wise."  Mt. 12:36 says "But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the Day of Judgement for every careless word they have spoken."  I don't know about you, but those words give me pause.  Take due diligence when choosing your words.

Thank God for his mercy, grace and forgiveness.

Dear sisters in Christ, it is my prayer that from this day forward, you will measure your words carefully in every situation whether you are speaking about those in government authority, those in authority in your ministry or anyone else.  I found this prayer that captures my sentiments:  "Today, Lord, let only thoughts that bless dwell in my heart and mind.  Silence my lips and tongue to all that would wound or is unkind.

The blessings of the Lord be upon you.