There are many things that the Christian must consider many things in their day-to-day practices. Our conduct has a lasting effect on everyone who interacts with us. One very important consideration is what we say. What we say, and how we say it, may make the difference between a person receiving or rejecting Christ, for we are His representatives, and many people judge Christ by what they see and hear from us.
James, the apostle, devotes a significant portion of his letter to the church to this matter of our speech. Because what we say has powerful effects, we should always restrain our speech. He put it this way: “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” James 1:19
- The power of speech (James 3:2)
- The tongue is a small member, but it can control a person’s life
- The tongue is capable of great evil
- Can cause many fires
- If we control our speech, we can control our whole life
- Speech is usually the last to be controlled
- The potential of our speech (James 3:9-10)
- Can be a blessing to God
- Can be a curse to men
- Cannot do both at the same time; therefore beware
- The product of wise speech (James 3:17-18)
- We need the wisdom from God to speak wisely
- Wise speech can produce everything that the world so desperately needs
- Peace
- Gentleness
- Reasonableness
- Mercy
- Honesty
Therefore, every Christian should practice restraint in their speech. God has given us the ability to communicate. It is a powerful tool, but like any tool, it can be used correctly or misused. With our speech, we have the potential for great good or untold evil. What the world needs now is what we can give through a soft answer that turns away wrath and implants the fruit of righteousness.
