Talk That Talk

Scripture

"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.” James 3:6 NIV

Observation

I grew up being told I looked just like my mom. I loved hearing it; I thought she was beautiful! It wasn’t until I found out I was pregnant with a girl, that I truly believe God highlighted to me, the fire of my mom’s tongue. I would hear from other people how much I looked like her, but at home, I would hear her say how fat she was, or picked apart every inch of herself. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was taking that on myself. If I look like her, I must be fat too. I am ugly too. 
Not only did she talk negatively about herself, she didn’t speak very lovingly towards me either. In turn, I struggled with self-esteem most of my life. I didn’t feel very loved, and I knew I was fat and imperfect. It led to eating disorders, anxiousness, depressive feelings, and me struggling to like myself. Many times, we can fall into the same patterns of our parents, and repeat the same things they did; say the same things they said. Looking back, I’m still in awe of the way God highlighted this to me, before I gave birth to my first daughter.
I’m in constant awe of the ways He frees us from bondage, and the ways He breaks chains we don’t realize need to be broken. Imagine what chains He can break when we make an intentional effort to seek Him to break them. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) tells us “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” What a great reminder to do an inventory of the words we speak to ourselves and to others.

Application

Challenge yourself to take inventory of the words you speak about yourself. Are you speaking of yourself as though you were made in His image (Gen. 1:27)? Are you tearing yourself down? Are you doing it in front of your children? We may think it’s innocent, but our words; especially those we speak over ourselves, in front of those who look up to us, can either lead to death or to life (Proverbs 18:21). 

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the mercy You show us everyday. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You that You carried us through the fire, and are alongside us, putting it out. I pray, God, that You continue to break the chains that are holding us to the negative effects of a loved one’s tongue. Break the chains that bind us to that way of thinking. Lord, meet each person reading this, where they are. I pray for healing and compassion. I pray that You anoint their tongue to speak life in all circumstances. Speak to them and remind them who’s child they are. Bless the words that come out of their mouths, Lord. Thank You for the freedom that is found in You, and the healing that is about to come. We love You, and we praise You. In Jesus Mighty name, amen!