“Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?”
Do your words build others up?
James directly addresses a common problem for Christians – how Christians use their words. It is hard to trust God’s Word when you can’t trust the words of a Christian.
Many Christians have lost opportunities to share the Gospel because they were spreading gossip.
Many Christians have lost opportunities to share the truth of the Gospel because they were spreading lies.
Many Christians have lost opportunities to share hope because they were spreading doubt.
James uses the imagery of water flowing from a stream to teach about the power of one’s words. Every word that flows out of the mouth begins in the spring of the heart. The words that flow out of your heart show the condition of your heart.
Loving words come from a heart that has been loved.
Healing words come from a heart that has been healed.
Restoring words come from a heart that has been restored.
Merciful words come from a heart that have received mercy.
Truthful words come from a heart that has not been deceived.
Encouraging words come from a heart that has been encouraged.
The words you use today will either be encouraging or discouraging. God has positioned you to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) with words that are consistent with your walk of faith.
Live It:
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Who do you need to encourage today? How will you be encouraging with the words that you use?
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The words you use show the state of your heart. How is your heart? Is unforgiveness, pride, or fear affecting your spiritual life?
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
Chase Snyder is an author and pastor in Metro Atlanta. Chase’s aim is to help people apply the Bible to their life by take their next step of faith in Jesus. He is the founder of Ministry Bubble – a content creation company that helps people turn their ideas into ministry to serve the local church. Chase writes, speaks, blogs, and hosts the Spiritual Conversations Podcast. He and his wife have two children.
