the importance of words

So, I've been reading through James.  I have a love/hate relationship with this book.  It is one of the parts of Scripture that definitely brings out the truth of Heb. 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  Every time I read it, it pokes and cuts like a sword.  God, through James, has a lot to say about our words.  The last couple weeks as I've read through it, I've been thinking quite a bit about the things I say.  Some of my thoughts on this center around my verbal responses to the circumstances I find myself in, the importance of bridling my tongue--that is, bringing my words under control--, taking time to think before speaking and guarding against words spoken in anger, the responsibility that comes with teaching, the need to demonstrate maturity through not stumbling in what I say, how quickly my words influence those around me and how far reaching the results of my words may be, the need for consistency in the tone of my words--not blessing God while cursing men and allowing others to see that I mean what I say.

I was riding in a truck with some others this past week, and a couple guys were talking about sarcasm, when the verses from chapter 3 came to mind.  I reminded them that the tongue "is a fire, the very world of iniquity".  Jesus tells us that "every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgement."  I don't know about you, but that scares me.  When I think about how often I throw out careless words, talk without thinking, or wound someone with an insensitive remark, I realize how much I need to grow in this area of the tongue.

In Eph. 4 God, through Paul, offers us this instruction regarding our words: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear."  I don't see a lot of wiggle room here.  None of my words should be unwholesome.  How do I know if they are?  If they are not good for edification.  I stand condemned. 

Today, as we have opportunity to speak, may we think about the responsibility that is ours as ambassadors of our God to exercise caution in our words and use our tongues as instruments of righteousness. 

God, help us to obey you and bless you by blessing others in what we say.