In today’s video, Rudy Ross lends his expertise to exploring Genesis 49. This chapter describes Jacob on his deathbed, listing his children and giving them both blessings and curses.
I encourage you to listen to our presentation on YouTube. My article will deal in general terms with how we use our words for good or ill.
The wisdom of the Proverbs counsels humans to choose carefully their words. Proverbs challenges the childhood saying, “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21)
James contains the New Testament version of Old Testament wisdom. James, like Proverbs, highlights the need to pay close attention to our speech.
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.
For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. (James 3:6-10).
I don’t know about you, but I certainly need to meditate on the words of Proverbs 18 and James 3. The truth is, even as I write this article, I know there are times when I use my words improperly.
There are times when, though I bless God, I also curse people. James is right. “This ought not to be so.”
The Source of Our Problem
James taught that our words are among our members as a world of iniquity. Iniquity is the twisted part of our inner self. When Jesus talked about the improper use of words, He brought home the same truth.
“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure” (Matthew 12:34-35).
If our words are to resemble those recommended by the Proverbs, Jesus tells us we must start with a good heart.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Proverbs 16:24)
In the Bible, the term “heart” refers to our inner being, encompassing our thoughts (mind) and our decisions (will). We can choose what we focus our minds on by making a deliberate choice.
Paul counseled the church to address the heart with full surrender to God and a renewed mind.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).
Reflections
Today’s article is filled with Bible quotations. God’s Word is the best way to learn how to respond to Him. He is concerned with how we use our words, and the Bible shows us how.
Take time today to think about and pray over these passages. Ask God what decisions He wants you to make about your heart and your speech.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Genesis 49 on YouTube today. Rudy explains the blessings and the curses that Jacob gave his sons on his deathbed.
Real Voices 