“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”
We have to be wary of our barbed tongues betraying a critical spirit at heart.
A separation from Christ who always spoke out in love to redeem not to judge.
When we are on the offensive we are retaliatory to take out the other before we are taken out. This is where we reap the consequences of our words.
We are not reflecting or valuing Christ.
Jeremiah was anointed by God to be a prophet to speak words of truth that would break down barriers, destroy and overthrow wrongs but also sow seeds to rebuild and plant righteousness.
“See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To uproot and break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.””
There is a spirit, an intention, behind the words we speak that changes the meaning of the same words from implying for example failure, hopelessness or love.
Christ will always imply love.
It is Christ we need to manifest no other.
When our words are purified by the fire of God it is God who they represent.
Those who are in relationship and reflect Christ’s heart will discover that even in times of catastrophe it will evoke the pure, the right response from them because they are in the ‘whole’, ‘well’ and united place that has been refined by fire.
We do not have the right or need to be angry in response to what in the world kingdom may seem an injustice.
In Christ’s kingdom it is to operate from mercy not judgement. This births a righteous response.
If there is no righteousness there is no peace. If there is no peace there is no joy.
As followers of Christ we have no rights. We died to our rights. His mercy must triumph.
“For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it]. For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favourably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.”
Instead of crying out for justice we seek to forgive. More so to bless those who have offended or hurt us. God deals from His throne as He will.
It is not our position to perpetuate indignation and blame.
“and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].”
We live in a culture which enshrines, our opinions are right and we verbally man slaughter others and society.
We live in a culture of entitlement and rights.
We live in a society who wants compensation at every mistake whether negligent or ignorance or accidental.
God shows us that His heart is for those who make mistakes for whatever reason, there is no failure only a developmental learning curve to improve our choices.
The one who had no sin went in silence like a sheep to slaughter.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself]; Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”
Ours is to pray into and seek God’s redemption. To become the bridge and architects that bring hope for the future in God’s church.
His kingdom must ever expand. There be an increase in His government.
Therefore seeds must be sown for the future that will grow.
The illustration shows our mouth open for God to remove the barbs from our tongue. Refining it with fire to reflect he heart of Christ and emanate light to push back the darkness.
Five Scriptures that come to mind:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.” Proverbs 18:21 AMP
“See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To uproot and break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 AMP
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself]; Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, So He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 AMP
“For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it]. For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favourably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12 AMP
“and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].”1 Peter 3:9 AMP
The song Broken Into Beautiful. Hannah Hobbs
Lessisgreater 