Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

At 29:45 past 5 AM on July 16, 1945, something spectacular happened. In northern New Mexico, the still dark early morning sky became as bright as the noonday sun. In that one blinding flash, the Atomic Age had begun. The atomic fireball shot upwards at 360 feet per second destroying everything around it. J Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who oversaw the building of the bomb, famously said this about his creation after the first test detonation: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” On December 20, 1951, something else spectacular happened. In Arco, Idaho, the still dark sky was also brightened with light. It was brightened by light bulbs powered by the first electricity produced from nuclear energy. The uranium used to produce that electricity, is the same uranium that is used in the atomic bomb. The exact same science is used in the reactor and the bomb, the same atoms and electrons, the same reactions and physics. So, what’s the difference? It’s in how they’re used. When used one way, atomic energy powers homes and lights up the dark. But when used another way, it produces death and destruction. Like atomic energy, the tongue is capable of life and death, are your words like a power plant that lights up lives around you or a bomb that levels and destroys life? Looking around at our country it is sad to see how many people are trashing each other with their tongues. Jesus said that what is in a person’s heart inevitably comes out of his mouth. Just like water flowing from a well, the words that come out of the mouth reveal the purity of the source. So, what lessons are your lips teaching? Are your words criticizing and condemning? Are you manipulating and control people like chess pieces or moving people toward God? Do you light fires of gossip or fan their flames? Are you spreading righteousness or rumors? Does your language glorify God or sound like garbage? Because people who walk in truth don’t talk trash. Does your speech compromise God and put others down so you can look good? Do you speak words of praise or spit wounding poison? So, what do we do if our speech is more harmful than helpful? Let me give you several principles that if put into practice will moved your mouth from misery to ministry:

• Confess your sinful speech.

Admit your sin and seek God’s forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of those whose hearts you have hurt. You can’t tame the tongue it comes when we submit to the Holy Spirit. It starts with Salvation and continues with submission. Its more than just trusting Jesus for eternal life its letting Him be the Lord of your life. Because either Satan or the Holy Spirit is controlling your speech.

• T-H-I-N-K….. before you speak.

“T” Is it True? – “H” Is it Helpful? – “I” Is it Inspiring? – “N” Is it Necessary? -“K” Is it Kind?

Thoughtless tongues react, but tongues trained in truth respond. Learn to filter your thoughts through truth before they hit your tongue. Why do we react instead of respond because we are filtered things through our feelings instead of our Father.

• Let your life do the talking not your lips.

Learn to exercise your life more than your lips. Don’t mouth what you don’t model.

• Learn to muzzle your mouth

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. Lean on wisdom more than words. Because wisdom doesn’t just know what words to use but also when to use them.

• Use you Lips for Love

THE POWER OF THREE LITTLE WORDS

Psalms 19:14 May these words of my mouth & this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

If you want to HURT someone, the tongue is much more effective than THE FIST is. If you want to APOLOGIZE to someone, all the flowers in the world won’t accomplish what three little words like, “I AM SORRY’ can do. Some of the most significant messages people mouth can come in just 3 words. Words have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships.

I’LL BE THERE – Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are Truly Present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love & friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually.

I MISS YOU – More marriages & friendships could be Salvaged and Strengthened if people Simply, Sincerely said to each other, “I miss you.” This affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired & loved.

I RESPECT YOU – Respect is another way of showing LOVE and the feeling that another person is a TRUE EQUAL.

MAYBE YOU’RE RIGHT – This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument & restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of “maybe you’re right” is the humility of admitting “Maybe I’m Wrong.”

PLEASE FORGIVE ME – Many broken relationships could be restored & healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults and failures. A person should never be ashamed to admit they have been in the wrong, which is by saying that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.

I THANK YOU – Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don’t take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. Do you have an attitude of gratitude?

COUNT ON ME – “A FRIEND IS ONE WHO WALKS IN WHEN OTHERS WALK OUT.” ” Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there, indicating “You Can Count On Me.”

LET ME HELP – The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt, they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU – People become closer & enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT – Some of your friends may be non-conformists, they may have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness, everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I LOVE YOU – Probably the three most powerful words on the planet. We all desire to be loved and to belong. Are you loving others with your life and your lips?