James urges us to be careful with our words...."With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image."..."My friends, this can't go on." ~James 3: 7-12
The word "curse" used above comes from the Greek term, "kataraomai" which refers to causing harm to someone through a statement.
It's easy to see how words could hurt another person, but those same words are connecting to your own thoughts and can be damaging to your own spirit, too.
Negative thoughts and words about another human being fosters pride in our own hearts. Pride encourages earthy wisdom to rise and is contrary to spiritual wisdom.
"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings." James 3:17 (MSG)
It is so easy to put others down, criticize and judge...the entire world is rampant with this mentality. It takes great strength to tame your own tongue...and even greater strength to search for the good in others when they deserve it the least.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - You Choose".
In those moments, we have a choice....Let us aspire to CHOOSE WISELY.
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