Winning the Battle: The Power of Your Speech
Judaism is intensely aware of the power of speech and of the harm that can be done through speech.
The rabbis note that the universe itself was created through speech. Of the 43 sins enumerated in the Al Chet confession recited on Yom Kippur, 11 are sins committed through speech. The Talmud states that the tongue is an instrument so dangerous that it must be kept hidden from view, behind two protective walls (the mouth and teeth) to prevent its misuse!
The harm done by speech is even worse than the harm done by stealing or by cheating someone financially, because amends can be made for monetary harms, but the harm done by speech can rarely be repaired. For this reason, some sources indicate that there is no forgiveness for lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech)
A Chasidic tale illustrates this point: A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers, because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."
Speech has been compared to an arrow: once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray. You never know the state of mind a person is in when they hear your speech. Harmful speech is evil. I Thessalonian 5:22 states, "Abstain from every form of evil."
And to blame God for evil that was caused by men (us) or demons would be sin. James speaks similarly in warning us not to blame God for the evil we do when he says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, " I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:13-14).
The person who listens to gossip is even worse than the person who tells it, because no harm could be done by gossip if no one listened to it. It has been said that lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech) kills three: the person who speaks it, the person who hears it, and the person about whom it is told. Some sources indicate that lashon ha-ra is equal in seriousness to murder, idol worship, and incest and adultery (the only three sins that you may not violate even to save a life).
God has made us responsible for our actions, which have real and eternally significant results. Yes, God gave us "free will" and our country gave us "free speech", but it is important to be clear as to what is meant by the word, "free".
Scripture nowhere says that we are "free" in the sense of being outside of God's control or of being able to make decisions that are not caused by anything or that we are free to hurt others with our words. We make willing choices, choices that have real effects. We can choose to think about what we say and how it may affect someone before we say it. It is irresponsible to "throw" words around that may cause harm to another human being.
When we speak, we must think! We must refrain our tongue from evil thoughts. You don't have to same everything that comes into your mind. Satan's battleground is your mind. So if you say everything that comes into it you may very well be helping Satan destroy someone, simply by using your tongue. 1 Peter 3:10 For " He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Are you choosing to say something that can encourage and bring hope or something that can divide and bring destruction and tragedy.
Proverbs tells us that the power of death and life is in the tongue. Many people have lost a friend, a job, a family member, a position or an opportunity because the words they spoke caused great harm. Begin today to turn things around with your mouth. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and others. Think before you speak. Focus on what you are saying about your life and others. The power of your speech can bring death or life to those around you as well.
Study and meditate on these Scriptures to help control your tongue. All verses listed here are from the New King James Version.
Job 27:4
My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.
Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 3:4-6
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Thank God that we have forgiveness of our sins through the shed blood of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). God can forgive you today. Go and sin no more.
For Him Only;
Pastor Patricia
Remember: Speak kindly to those you know and don't know, for your kind words can heal a broken heart.
The rabbis note that the universe itself was created through speech. Of the 43 sins enumerated in the Al Chet confession recited on Yom Kippur, 11 are sins committed through speech. The Talmud states that the tongue is an instrument so dangerous that it must be kept hidden from view, behind two protective walls (the mouth and teeth) to prevent its misuse!
The harm done by speech is even worse than the harm done by stealing or by cheating someone financially, because amends can be made for monetary harms, but the harm done by speech can rarely be repaired. For this reason, some sources indicate that there is no forgiveness for lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech)
A Chasidic tale illustrates this point: A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers, because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."
Speech has been compared to an arrow: once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray. You never know the state of mind a person is in when they hear your speech. Harmful speech is evil. I Thessalonian 5:22 states, "Abstain from every form of evil."
And to blame God for evil that was caused by men (us) or demons would be sin. James speaks similarly in warning us not to blame God for the evil we do when he says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, " I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:13-14).
The person who listens to gossip is even worse than the person who tells it, because no harm could be done by gossip if no one listened to it. It has been said that lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech) kills three: the person who speaks it, the person who hears it, and the person about whom it is told. Some sources indicate that lashon ha-ra is equal in seriousness to murder, idol worship, and incest and adultery (the only three sins that you may not violate even to save a life).
God has made us responsible for our actions, which have real and eternally significant results. Yes, God gave us "free will" and our country gave us "free speech", but it is important to be clear as to what is meant by the word, "free".
Scripture nowhere says that we are "free" in the sense of being outside of God's control or of being able to make decisions that are not caused by anything or that we are free to hurt others with our words. We make willing choices, choices that have real effects. We can choose to think about what we say and how it may affect someone before we say it. It is irresponsible to "throw" words around that may cause harm to another human being.
When we speak, we must think! We must refrain our tongue from evil thoughts. You don't have to same everything that comes into your mind. Satan's battleground is your mind. So if you say everything that comes into it you may very well be helping Satan destroy someone, simply by using your tongue. 1 Peter 3:10 For " He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Are you choosing to say something that can encourage and bring hope or something that can divide and bring destruction and tragedy.
Proverbs tells us that the power of death and life is in the tongue. Many people have lost a friend, a job, a family member, a position or an opportunity because the words they spoke caused great harm. Begin today to turn things around with your mouth. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and others. Think before you speak. Focus on what you are saying about your life and others. The power of your speech can bring death or life to those around you as well.
Study and meditate on these Scriptures to help control your tongue. All verses listed here are from the New King James Version.
Job 27:4
My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.
Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 3:4-6
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Thank God that we have forgiveness of our sins through the shed blood of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). God can forgive you today. Go and sin no more.
For Him Only;
Pastor Patricia
Remember: Speak kindly to those you know and don't know, for your kind words can heal a broken heart.
This is absolutely awesome. This gave me encouragement in two areas: (1) At home when dealing with the kids, to speak kind words even when they are misbehaving so that my words are always encouraging. (2) Pray before speaking in a business setting that my words are clear, not misunderstood and the people who are under the sound of my voice recognize and are able to see Christ through me and therefore trust our business relations, because all our gifts and talents and the business we conduct is to glorify Him. Pastor Trish continue to encourage us with your words and speech.
ReplyDelete