Your Words are Powerful!

      Do you know how powerful your words actually are? Let me tell you this much right now - even though your tongue is a very small part of your body, it can cause SO much damage. And come to find out, God tells us about taming our tongues in James, chapter 3. He says, " Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness." Wow. Your words can be used for two different things - to build people up or tear people down. Sometimes we think that our words don't mean a whole lot, and after criticizing someone (or tearing them down), we follow up with "Just kidding!!" or "I'm just playing around with you!". Really, if your heart is in the place to even think those mean thoughts about someone, obviously you are not just kidding. (And I'm not saying not to joke around with your friends, but I am saying to be carefull about the things you joke about. For example, joking about someones weight, or the way they look is NOT a way to build friendships). In fact, words have been known many times to cause depression, disease, and so many more things that people shouldn't have to go through. Also, not only getting rid of bad things that come out of your mouth, but meaningless things and gossip (2 Timothy 2:16). So pretty much don't just talk to hear yourself talk, and don't talk about ANYBODY behind their backs. I want to challenge everyone reading this, to think about EVERY word before it comes out of your mouth (I am trying to do this too). It will minimize the sin in your life (not that you sin, because i know you don't, right? =), and make a way to grow closer to God! And I would love to hear about how you are doing with this, so text or email me anytime! Lets pray for each other on this issue!