Everyday Discernment: The Importance of Spirit-led Decision MakingSample

Discernment with Words

The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue and the power of our words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

James Chapter 3:1-12 has some serious warnings about the power of the tongue and its effects on those around us. James likens the tongue, something so small that affects something much larger, to a ship’s rudder in its ability to direct and steer and to the way a horse’s bit controls the direction of the horse (v. 3-4). Neither a rudder nor a bit has control on its own just like a tongue has no power; it is just a chunk of muscular tissue! The control of our tongue all depends on the person operating it just as a captain has full control of the ship or a rider control of the horse through the leverage of something so small. 

The true “heart” of the matter is shown to us in Matthew 12:34, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” When Jesus controls our heart, our lips are controlled as a result.

It's important to have discernment in our words with our spouse, children, and friends.  Unfortunately the people we say we love the most, can be the easiest for us to speak out in anger or negativity against.  We need to let God direct our words regardless of how we are feeling in the moment.  It takes many positive words to overcome one negative word said against someone.  Sometimes the damage is irreparable.

Let your heart be filled with the love of God and allow it to overflow in your interactions with others through the words you speak.  You might be the difference in someone's day to show them the love of Jesus.

Who is God convicting you about that you can have better discernment with your words today?