Salty?

Scripture:

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  

James 3:9-11

Devotional:

There are very few temptations as strong in a believer's life as letting our words run wild. We have a collective mindset that "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." We use phrases like this to convince ourselves that our words are inconsequential.  While the words of others may not cause us physical harm, we have at least gotten to the point, as a society, that we know how badly they can hurt others emotionally. 

However, this scripture isn't even about how the words of others impact us externally. This scripture deals with how our words impact US internally. In my own life, I've sometimes let my words run wild and used them to break down other people. I've used the same mouth to give praise to God and then condemn his creation. I've had to confront this truth in my life: How can I both love God and hate his creation? How can I profess to love God and hate what he loves?

The truth is that we can't do both. We can't produce both loving words and hateful ones. We can't produce both life-giving talk and words of death. One will always take over. We can't produce encouragement and gossip. The long-term implications for you are that whichever path you choose will become your habits, then your pattern of life, then what you will be known for. It is nearly impossible in our own strength to change the course that our words choose for us. Thankfully, Jesus can change hearts and minds if you are willing. 

The question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you want to be a well of life or a well of death? Will you be a freshwater spring that brings life and refreshment, or will you just be salty? 

Prayer: 

Jesus, I want my words to bring life to others. I ask that you work in my heart to make it a well of life for myself and for others. I reject negative talk and gossip, and I ask that you forgive me for how I have torn down others. I ask that you help me daily to produce life with my words. Thank you for all you do for me. Amen.