EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

I recently listened to a book (thank you, Audible) by Levi Lusko, one of my new favorite authors. If you are a reader or Audible listener, I strongly suggest his books. He has much insight on the topic at hand of ‘our tongue’ in his book, “I Declare War.”

James 3:3-10 (NIV): “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  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.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Peter used his words to curse God.

We use, on average, 16,000 words a day. How are we using our 16,000?

Colossians 4:6 (NIV): “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Proverbs 25:11 (AMP): “Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken at the right time.”

As a Christian person, do we use our words to help bring others closer to Christ, into a relationship with him as personal Lord and Savior? We are challenged — no, instructed — in Matthew how to do this.

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) (known as the the Great Commission): “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In the song “Words” by Hawk Nelson, the chorus encourages us:

“Words can build you up

Words can break you down

Start a fire in your heart or

Put it out

Let my words be life

Let my words be truth

I don’t wanna say a word

Unless it points the world back to You

You can heal the heartache

Speak over the fear …

God, your voice is the only thing

We need to hear.”

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Words are powerful!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend, and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.