Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. -James 1:26 (NIV)
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18
Do you profess to be a true believer, but batter and lacerate others with your sharp tongue?
There is more to being a believer than saying you’re one. You can even talk to God on a regular basis, but if you then turn around and injure His children with the power of words, then you have separated yourself from Him in sin. You are actually walking apart from Him.
That first verse comes from this block in James:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (James 1:22-26 NIV)
We all sin. We all fail the Lord daily. But if the words you choose to unleash on others are not healing, but harming, then you have burdened yourself with sin, and should bring it to the Lord in repentance. And be sure to go to the person(s) you’ve harmed and ask their forgiveness as well. Now, you may not get it. That’s okay. The most important thing is to know that you are His hands and feet, and you can continue doing work in His name, and making Him known, by walking the walk, and talking the talk.
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