I am not a person known for silence. Yet I often fail to speak what would be beneficial or life giving.  I navigate between pleasantries and various topics, discuss the weather or the day’s events or regale others with stories. This thought drove me to self-contemplation, and I find myself lacking in this area of my life. God has been reminding me of a great truth.  The truth about the potential instrument he has put in my mouth and I’m not utilizing it fully.  I know it sounds funny but read on.

Where am I lacking? What area do I need to examine in my life?  The area of my words.  The Bible warns against vain conceit, and careless words.  It declares that we will have to give an account for them.  Wow, for every careless whisper.  It also speaks of the power of words and also of the tongue. In Proverbs it says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” All too often we forget that every word spoken is either life or death, either blessing or cursing. But is that it, is there only life or death words or is there another category of words that are spoken?

I believe there’s another category of words – the valueless kind. Empty, neither necessary nor hurtful, just fluff. Fluff doesn’t fill or do anything; it’s just there, taking up space and then disappearing like cotton candy. Valueless. And because of this, those empty or frivolous words are just as damning as the deadly ones. How can that be? Because we have life-giving words that people need, and we hold them back, offering only fluff instead. It’s easier to share the fluff; more people accept it, and it simply fills awkward moments. But as believers, we have to ask ourselves what the Bible asks: “How will they know unless we tell them?” Are we telling them of Christ and His love with both our actions and our words?

Our untamable and unruly tongue has a job to do – to speak His words of life. He puts things in our hearts – words, messages, truths – so we will share them with our mouths. Do you realize that we are called to share them, that it’s not just your pastor or minister’s job? Other people are depending on it. So, it’s more than just saying something that matters; it’s saying something of value that’s life-giving. It’s speaking Christ’s hope, love, forgiveness, and promises, not your opinions – that’s another subject for another day.

We need to speak His word, His truth, His love, His hope, not wasting the voice He gave us with empty, quickly forgotten thoughts. To speak His words boldly, even when it seems contrary to the world’s wisdom. To speak with His direction and realize our words are tools He uses to reach others, to heal, to encourage, to edify, and to speak life to the dry bones. His words in our mouths are powerful and lifesaving.

So, I need to stop and think before I speak. Yes, that’s something I’ve been told since childhood, and it still applies because it’s true and wise. I need to realize the power God has given me so that I can be an instrument that sends out His love, life, hope, peace, and offers God to others through my words and actions. This is true for me, but it’s also true for you. In the same way I need to examine myself, you should too. Are you taking every opportunity as it says in Ephesians 5? Are you speaking life and light into the darkness? Do you realize the powerful instrument your tongue can be for building God’s kingdom and for the cause of Christ? In our lives as believers, it’s time to do more than just speak; it’s time to say something.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Ephesians 4:29, Psalms 141:3, Proverbs 12:18, Hebrew 4:12, Col. 4:6, Matt. 15:11, James 1:19