I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT? (part-50)

I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

USING OUR TONGUES WISELY
Basically our tongues can be used
in one of two ways – constructively or destructively.

Constructively we can use our tongues to encourage others and
lift their spirits. We can use it to comfort, console and compliment
others. During those times when we don’t know what to say to help
someone else, we can use our tongues to pray for them.

Destructively we use our tongues to discourage others and to create
all kinds of turmoil. We use it for gossiping, for lying, for being rude,
for bragging, or for venting anger.

The way we use our tongue is usually a good representation of our
attitudes and our inner thoughts. The 23rd Psalm has a phrase,
“my cup overflows”. It is referring to the goodness of God, but it
could also be used to describe how a person’s attitude ‘overflows’
and allows others to see the ‘real’ person.

For instance, think of someone walking around with an almost
full cup of liquid. We may not be able to see what is in the cup,
but as soon as the person is bumped and the liquid spills out,
we see what was in the cup.

Now think in terms of a person’s attitude, character and personality
being full within them. We may not know the ‘real’ person until they
get bumped and we see their attitudes and personalities spill out.

Someone may appear to be an easy going, gentle person until they
get ‘bumped’ and suddenly we see a person with uncontrolled anger.

Or, we may see someone who appears to be a benevolent person, but
find out later that they constantly compare what they give to others,
to what they receive from them. They may seem to be someone who
has a spirit of giving, but they are really selfishly driven. How do we
find out? They get ‘bumped’. When they didn’t get as much as they
felt they should have received from someone else, their frustration,
and possibly anger, spills out.

When you know a friend is in need, what spills from your cup?
When someone cuts you off in traffic, what spills from your cup?
When someone says something unkind to you,
what spills from your cup?
When someone makes you mad, what spills from your cup?
When you sense someone needs encouragement,
what spills from your cup?
When someone makes a bad decision, what spills from your cup?
When you know the Lord wants you to serve Him in some way,
what spills from your cup?
When anything takes you out of your comfort zone,
what spills from you cup?
Get the idea?

We have all heard others who use their tongues for swearing. Our
first thought when we hear the word ‘swearing’ is the use of profanity.
Although this is certainly not the language God expects from His
children, swearing can also be used when referring to honesty.
How?

Have you heard others say, “I’m going to tell you the truth” or
“I swear this is the truth” or “I’m going to be honest with you”?
Does it ever make you wonder if they have not been telling you
the truth on everything up to this point? More than likely these
phrases are just a habit for most people, but what do the scriptures
say about swearing in this manner.
    Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not
    by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need
    to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be
    condemned. (James 5:12)

James tells us that swearing in any shape, form or fashion should be
condemned. When he says to use a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, it appears he
is talking about integrity and trustworthiness. In other words, others
should know us by our honesty. They should know that we do not
think we have to be emphatic in order for others to believe what we
have to say.

Have you ever heard someone say this about another person,
“You may not always like what he or she has to say, but you know
where he or she stands”? The last part ‘you know where he or she
stands’ is what we should hope others would say about us, if we
are truly a child of God.

They should know that our ‘yes’ means ‘yes’ and our ‘no’
means ‘no’. When we have established good integrity, we
don’t have to use phrases like, “I swear this is the truth”,
or “I’m going to be honest with you”,
or “If you don’t believe me, just ask (another person’s name)
and he or she will verify it”.

Christians should be people who can be trusted. As believers,
we should know when something should remain confidential
even if the other person doesn’t tell us not to repeat it. By the
nature of what we have been told, we should have the Godly
wisdom to know that it should not be repeated.

We should also have the self-discipline to keep it confidential
rather than turning it into gossip. What happens too often is,
after hearing something ‘juicy’, a person will tell someone else,
and ask them to keep it confidential. Sometimes they even say
something like, “(someone) told me not to tell anyone, but I can
tell you, just don’t tell anyone else”. Jesus gave us instructions
regarding honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
    All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;
    anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
    (Matthew 5:37)

Did you catch what He said at the end? Whenever we fail to be
honest, it is because we have allowed ‘the evil one’ to have control.
God gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us in all that we do, but we
have to give Him control in order to receive the benefits of His
guidance.

Whenever we choose to take the reins away from the Holy Spirit,
we are giving Satan an opportunity to influence our thoughts,
words, and actions. Since most people like to always be in control,
it can be difficult to yield control to the Holy Spirit, but doesn’t it
just make sense to allow someone as knowledgeable and pure as
the Holy Spirit to have control of your life?

James knew the importance of the use of the tongue by
believers – look at how often he focused on the uncontrolled tongue:
    My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:
    Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
    and slow to become angry, (James 1:19)

    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)

    Speak and act as those who are going to be judged
    by the law that gives freedom, (James 2:12)

    We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault
    in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in
    check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make
    them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships
    as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by
    strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever
    the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of
    the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great
    forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,
    a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the
    whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is
    itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles
    and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by
    mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a
    restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise
    our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who
    have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come
    praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
    Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
    My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine
    bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
    (James 3:2-12)

    Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone
    who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them
    speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the
    law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
    (James 4:11)

    Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,
    or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
    (James 5:9)

It is evident that James knew the teachings of Jesus.
    But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:
    either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or
    by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by
    Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great
    King. And do not swear by your head, for
    you cannot make even one hair white or
    black. (Matthew 5:34-36)

If James and Jesus tell us to avoid swearing, then we should
consider this as divine instructions from God to His children.

As mentioned earlier, swearing is sometimes equated to profanity.
When we look at the following verse, we can assume it is referring
to profanity when it says, ‘taking the Lord’s name in vain’.
    You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
    in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who
    takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

Many interpret this verse as ‘do not use profanity’, which is
certainly good advice to believers, but it could very well have
an even deeper meaning. Let me explain.

If you see someone going to the ocean with a teacup and when
you ask them what they are doing they say,
    “I’m going to empty the ocean”.
You know that they cannot empty the ocean using a teacup.
You could say that they are taking the teacup in vain. No
matter how many trips they make, it is a vain effort to try
to empty the ocean with a teacup.

Now, imagine someone claiming to be a child of God, but their
actions show no indication that they have a sincere faith. They
claim to be a child of God and are carrying His name but due
to their words and actions, they are ‘taking His name in vain’.
Their actions and words contradict the faith they claim to have.
We can claim to have faith, but if others cannot see it lived out
in our lives, then they are not going to believe our faith is
genuine, or that it even exists.

We might think we are doing something good by using profanity
to connect with a certain group of people. However, we may be
having a negative impact on other groups, and ruining our
testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ

God will never condone using foul language as part of our testimony
or sharing in His earthly ministry. He instructs us to strive for
righteousness and avoid becoming worldly with our thoughts,
our actions, and of course our words.

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