“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).

James dedicated a chapter in his book to a teaching on taming the tongue. He makes reference to a horse who is led by a bit which is used by a rider to steer their body. He makes similar reference to a large ship, which is steered by a small rudder. The tongue is a small member of the body, yet it is a powerful member. James compares the tongue to a small flame which can set an entire forest ablaze. He mentioned the tongue being able to control our entire bodies and at times being set on fire from hell. What a person says out of their mouth can determine the outcome of their life and affect their purpose and destiny.

James said that every kind of beast of the field can be tamed by men. “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). With our tongues we praise and bless the Lord and with the same tongue, we curse people who are made in the image and likeness of God. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). What if we spent more time praying about the things that we don’t like about people? And make sure that you do not discount your prayers by speaking condemnation while you praying.

We have to challenge ourselves to speak life and confess what we would like to see manifested in people. It does not mean that we are lying, being in denial or refusing to be honest. We are speaking into existence what we want to see manifested. “as it is written, “who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). We have to be consistent as we cannot speak faith one day and speak doubt the next day. Persistent faith requires that we speak light into the darkness and speak life in the face or adversity.

Remember that there is a spirit world that exist around our words. The Devil will use our negative words against us and cause to manifest what we speak out of frustration. The angels also wait to carry out our words spoken from the word of God. If you don’t want it to manifest, then don’t speak it.

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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