Tongue Talkers
Growing up in a Full Gospel church environment, labels were easily placed on us. I didn't think anything about it at the time because it was simply natural to me. Though it's not stated much anymore, one of those labels is comical to me at this stage of life. I can hear someone in their heaviest southern draw describe one of us in such a manner, "That's one of dem tongue talkers." Yes, they would say tongue talker. I laugh now at the ignorance of that statement because my sarcasm arises with a rebuttal, "Everyone who talks has a tongue to do so." I know, a bad joke. But, though this label was meant to describe one who speaks in other languages prompted by the Holy Spirit, I thought about the significance of all physical tongue talkers.
I am astonished at the disdain humanity holds for those who would murder another with their hands while daily creating the same act with their own tongue. Christians have adopted the same action with a covering of justification. We have become so accustomed to accepting it that the Church is often a massacred body instead of the living body of Christ. Proverbs 18:21 states, "The tongue has the power of life and death." The Message version of this scripture reads, "Words kill, words give life." With this reference, we understand there is a choice as to what may protrude from our mouth provoked by our tongue. However, according to the Epistle of James, the part of our body that can inflict the most damage has the least amount of control. In Chapter three of James, he compares its influence to that of a bit in a horses' mouth, the rudder of a ship, and a fire. He states that "no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (vs. 8-9). James is appalled that we can bless God and curse men with the same tongue. This is an apparent reminder that we need the Holy Spirit to constantly operate in our life and control what no man can.
The hardest of times and most difficult of situations somehow constitutes the "freedom of speech." The tongue being free with reasoning of a justified cause is most dangerous. When will we as Christ followers understand the damage we do internally and the example of what the non-believers see externally as the body of Christ? Nothing warrants the tongue destroying another - no matter what circumstances and emotions are instigating the speech. One of the most powerful portions of James 3 is found within the verses, 13-18. Those who are truly of Christ will seek to live in the manner James puts before us...
People who are seeking what Christ offers are desiring His abundant life through hope and blessing, not death through hopelessness and cursing. It is up to us submitting to the control of His Spirit that will determine which is exemplified in the Church. Those who feel you can escape the conviction of this truth because you only "talk" through posting your words on social media, forums, websites, blogs, or any other outlet, you are mistaken. It is a form of speech; just not fabricated with the tongue. The description tag for my blog reads, "'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks'... and the hand writes." Whatever way we choose to speak, we must be aware of our heart condition. What is your motive? Remember to contemplate your surroundings. In a public setting, others, the innocent and children, can be a casualties from words of war. Life or death will come forth from all of us because we are all tongue talkers.
I am astonished at the disdain humanity holds for those who would murder another with their hands while daily creating the same act with their own tongue. Christians have adopted the same action with a covering of justification. We have become so accustomed to accepting it that the Church is often a massacred body instead of the living body of Christ. Proverbs 18:21 states, "The tongue has the power of life and death." The Message version of this scripture reads, "Words kill, words give life." With this reference, we understand there is a choice as to what may protrude from our mouth provoked by our tongue. However, according to the Epistle of James, the part of our body that can inflict the most damage has the least amount of control. In Chapter three of James, he compares its influence to that of a bit in a horses' mouth, the rudder of a ship, and a fire. He states that "no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (vs. 8-9). James is appalled that we can bless God and curse men with the same tongue. This is an apparent reminder that we need the Holy Spirit to constantly operate in our life and control what no man can.
The hardest of times and most difficult of situations somehow constitutes the "freedom of speech." The tongue being free with reasoning of a justified cause is most dangerous. When will we as Christ followers understand the damage we do internally and the example of what the non-believers see externally as the body of Christ? Nothing warrants the tongue destroying another - no matter what circumstances and emotions are instigating the speech. One of the most powerful portions of James 3 is found within the verses, 13-18. Those who are truly of Christ will seek to live in the manner James puts before us...
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. - James 3:13-18 (NKJ)
People who are seeking what Christ offers are desiring His abundant life through hope and blessing, not death through hopelessness and cursing. It is up to us submitting to the control of His Spirit that will determine which is exemplified in the Church. Those who feel you can escape the conviction of this truth because you only "talk" through posting your words on social media, forums, websites, blogs, or any other outlet, you are mistaken. It is a form of speech; just not fabricated with the tongue. The description tag for my blog reads, "'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks'... and the hand writes." Whatever way we choose to speak, we must be aware of our heart condition. What is your motive? Remember to contemplate your surroundings. In a public setting, others, the innocent and children, can be a casualties from words of war. Life or death will come forth from all of us because we are all tongue talkers.
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