Kill or Heal? James 3:5-10

By Christy Tran

The other day, my daughter Lily complimented me for my simple homemade ice pops.

“Yummm….. this is the best ice pops ever,” she said. That made me grin.

Complimenting people is second nature to my four-year-old. Once when I was dropping her off to the preschool, I overheard her saying to a teacher, “Oh, I love your skirt.” The teacher smiled. It is beautiful that Lily points out the good in people around her. Both teachers and friends adore her.

So, one can use words to bring happiness to others. But, what happens when that same person does the exact opposite?

The Apostle James said, “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.” (James 3:5-6, NIV)

Our tongue can become a restless evil that is full of deadly poison if not tamed (James 3:8). In short, the tongue can either heal or kill the spirit. Our words should not be full of vitriol that is like deadly poison to those who listen to us.

Just as Jesus, the sun of righteousness, rose with healing in its rays, freed and made His listeners leap with joy, like calves let out to pasture (Malachi 4:2), our tongue should have healing power and bring joy to our listeners.

“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.” (James 3:9-10, NIV)

Dear friends, let us learn to speak only the words of faith, hope, and love.

Kill or Heal? James 3:5-10

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