Use your voice in praise of God

Let us meditate today on something that we use all day, every day. Something that holds great power on the outcome of every single thing that we do, that can lead us into victory, or can create our greatest downfall, I of course, am referring to the power of words. Our voice. 

Our words are an incredible gift from God, we see it in His very essence, for the Bible calls Jesus Himself “the Word” as such, when God breathed His life into the dust of the earth and created Adam, He passed that gift along to us, and so we must hold it in a place of grand responsibility.

The book of James speaks on this saying, “And the same with mighty ships, though they are massive and driven by fierce winds, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder at the direction of the person at the helm. And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze.” (James 3:4-5 TPT)

My desire today is simply to remind us of the power that our lips carry, and how we are called to steward such a gift. When I wake up in the morning, what are the words that I speak? How do I speak to my wife, my kids, my coworkers? Am I being uplifting by sharing an encouraging word?

Am I tearing down by speaking my mind on personal frustrations that are frivolous? Now most assuredly I am not saying every word we speak must be sunshine and roses, for on the contrary words of conviction can just as easily transform a life as words of affirmation. I think upon Peter as he preached on the power of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, he brought instruction, correction, and yes encouragement, and it says “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?'” (Acts of the Apostles 2:37 NLT)

For these were men using the gift of our words to the fulfillment of the kingdom. As such we should do the same. When I speak to my wife, there should be gentleness, and kindness encouraging her on the beautiful gift she is, her beauty and grace and wisdom. For my children I should speak love, instruction, and discipline, and to those around me words to convict, and uplift. My words should always reflect the word of God.

Easier said than done at times I know, for I’ve seen personally the lasting damage that words can do if not tested against the fruit of the spirit. I’ve seen relationships broken, and restored. There’s days I discipline my children with gentleness, and days when my patience runs thin. 

It takes one word to spark a forest fire, and so we must every day check our spirit before we speak, will this word spark a fire of man, or the overwhelming fire of the Holy Spirit, Lord please let it be the latter.

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.