The Power of the tongue

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be . Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. [James 3: 9-12]

Remember Balak, King of Moab, and how he dreaded Israel because of their victory over the Amorites. He sent for Balaam, son of Beor, to curse Israel. Balaam was well-known throughout the East as a soothsayer whose curse was to be feared. Back then, the whole world believed in the power of blessings and curses. The Bible also speaks of the tremendous power of the tongue to bring either life or death. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) This is why the patriarchal blessing was so significant in Biblical Days, and why, even today, we must be careful to speak blessing and not cursing over our loved ones, especially our children because our words are so powerful!

When the Israelites complained in the wilderness and said (speaking their fears rather than faith)

that surely they were going to die in the wilderness, God basically said, “Okay, you’ll have what

you have said.” Just think on this for a minute. We can thank God for all the negative things He does not bring upon us that we speak out of our mouths in times of fear, anger or distress. It was through His words that God spoke the world into existence. Do you know that we also have creative power in our words, because we have been created in the image of God.

Because of this we, as Christians, must learn, as we are told in the Scriptures, to guard our mouths, praying that the Holy Spirit help us that we may speak forth life and blessings over our own lives and the lives of others.

As Believers in Jesus we are a people who God has blessed and no man can reverse it. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Some worldly blessings can bring with them trouble and sorrow, God’s blessings are not like that. When the Lord blesses us, no man can turn it into  sorrow. If God has blessed us, then we are blessed.