James has a lot to say about the tongue and how we can use it to bless or curse. The Apostle Paul, also, talks about the importance of speaking in ways that edify others. So, what one word would people around you use to describe the way you talk?
We’ll also look at an Old Testament picture of the new birth and the importance of humility to our walks with God.
Today’s Readings:
Ezekiel 35 & 36
Psalm 131.1-3
Proverbs 29.2-3
James 3.1-18
Are Your Words Blessing or Cursing?
James 3. 1-18:
The Tongue
Oh, the tongue … how much damage we can do with that little member! Especially damaging is someone who claims to be a believer and yet makes no effort to control his or her tongue.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh (vv. 10-13).
If someone had to describe what comes out of your mouth in one word, would it be blessing or cursing? Bitter or fresh? Kind or harsh? Loving or unloving?
[Tweet “What one word describes your words, kind or harsh? #words #soulsurvival”]No Unwholesome Word
Paul said in Ephesians 4.29:
Let no unwholesome word proceed from our mouths, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (NASB).
Unwholesome words include more than vulgarity or using the Lord’s name in vain. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word means “rotten, useless, corrupt, or depraved.”
Merriam-Webster defines rotten as “decayed, bad, unpleasant or unhealthy.” Useless is defined as “ineffectual or inept.” Unpleasant means “displeasing.” Corrupt means “tainted or morally impure” and depraved means “perverted.”
So, certainly, we need to put off any kind of speech that could be described by any of those adjectives, but it’s not enough to just quit saying things that fit those descriptions. We also need to put on speech that is, as Paul said in that verse, edifying and grace-giving.
Edifying: Constructive & Instructive
According to Strong’s again, edifying speech is “constructive criticism and instruction that builds a person up to be the suitable dwelling place of God.” And grace refers to the example of the Lord’s attitude toward us. It goes on to explain that “it is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor freely extended to give Himself away to people because He is always leaning toward them.”
Think about those two definitions for a minute. How does the way you talk to others (your spouse, your children, even strangers) fit those descriptions? Does everything you say demonstrate a desire to see the recipient be a more suitable dwelling place of God? Is it constructive and instructive or is it critical and destructive?
But there is one more phrase in Ephesians 4.29. It says our speech should, “give grace to those who hear.”
Edifying & Full of God’s Grace
Is what you say intended to help the hearer understand your care for them? Are your words full of God’s grace? Is it reflective of the way God deals with us?
God’s grace in part is His ability to give us what we need not what we deserve. But it doesn’t mean He always gives us what we want either. Edifying, grace-filled speech is not flattery or speech that puffs up. It’s truthful loving encouragement to continue growing and becoming more like Christ.
If we are to reflect His light to a lost and dying world, if we are to demonstrate the superiority of a life lived in Christ to our children and others, we must work at using our tongues in ways that are glorifying to Him. I know mine can always use some work. How about yours?
[Tweet “Is your speech constructive and instructive or is it critical and destructive? #soulsurvival #speech #words”]
Today’s Other Readings:
Ezekiel 35 & 36:
A Picture of the New Covenant
Chapter 36.24-27 is a beautiful picture of the new covenant:
24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
This will be fulfilled for the Nation of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom, but we already enjoy many of these same blessings with the new birth and its new covenant.
Psalm 131.1-3:
Grace for the Humble
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me (v. 1).
Humility is one of the characteristics that should characterize a believer. God says He resists the proud (Jas. 4.6) and that a proud look is one of the things He hates (Prov. 6.16-17), but He gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4.6).
Let’s pray that we will recognize pride in our lives and learn to humble ourselves under His mighty hand.
Proverbs 29.2-3:
Loving Wisdom
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but a companion of harlots wastes his wealth (v. 3).
What a joy it is to see your children grow up and live lives filled with God’s wisdom and grace! And what a grief it is to see them waste their lives, talents, and resources, and especially, to see them ignore the truths of God they have been taught.
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a truth to hold on to? I hope you’ll share your thoughts below in the comments section. I consider each one a gift.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll discuss the question, “Are you “profiting” from your reading and study of the Bible?” We’ll also talk about how Satan is a fisherman who studies us so he’ll know the right bait to use so he can reel us in, and how the Bible’s admonition about bad company applies to friends, counselors, and influencers.
I hope you’ll join us.
Getting ready for 2026:
The holidays are just around the corner, and the new year will be upon us before we know it. What will you do to make Bible reading an ongoing habit in the coming year? I want to encourage you to set a goal to read through the Bible again or for the first time. If you join me, I’ll take you through a plan that covers both the Old and New Testaments in about 15 minutes a day. You can read each day’s post or watch as I read through the passages on YouTube. Sign up so you don’t miss any of them. The emails can serve as a gentle reminder to stay on track, and I believe you’ll benefit from the additional information I share and grow as you learn to apply God’s Word to your own life.
You can check out our YouTube channel here.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
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