May 20 – Releasing a Blesser (James 3:1-12)

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.”
(James 3:9)

IN WORD:
Positive words seem less volatile than negative words, but their power can be surprising. A good word can edify. It can confirm the talents, skills — even the life direction — of someone who only needed a little encouragement to keep going. It can change the course of someone’s day, which in turn can change the course of that person’s week, month, or year. The snowball effect of a comment can run in an edifying direction just as easily as a destructive one. Why would anyone neglect such a powerful tool?
Not only can our mouths bless others, they can also draw attention to the glory of God. They can tell of His great works, witness to His unfathomable mercy, and marvel at his remarkable ways. They can be heard in the darkest corners of this world, in the assemblies of the saints, and in the halls of heaven. They can enter His gates with thanksgiving and tell of His marvelous greatness. They can shout with a voice of triumph and proclaim His mercies to all nations. In fact, our mouths were created entirely for such purposes.
It is a violation of the tongue’s created design to degrade, denigrate, demean, or destroy. It is even a violation to excessively express its discontentment and criticism. The tongue was formed exclusively — or at least primarily — to bless. It was given to bless others and to bless God. In so doing, it will bless our own selves.

IN DEED:
Do you have this remarkable tool stashed away somewhere? Have you failed to use this potent source of blessing? If negative words come out of your mouth, reverse the trend. Use your mouth to bless at all times. You will find the current of your life to flow in a corresponding direction. When blessing comes out of your heart, God makes sure that blessing comes into it. Release your tongue to do what it was meant to do.

“Kind words also produce their image on men’s souls; and a beautiful image it is.” -Blaise Pascal-