I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene… No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. Jesus is too colossal for the pen of phrase-mongers, however artful. No man can dispose of Christianity with a bon mot (witty comment). ~ Albert Einstein

When you give your word, can people rely on it?

LET YOUR FAITH ROAR

Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. James 2:17 (BSB).

Words Matter: Clear Words — Clean Heart

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26 (NIV)

We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:2 (NLT)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. James 3:9 (NIV)

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. James 5:12 (NIV)

Clear Words — Clean Heart

Above all we must be those who never need to verify our speech as truthful by swearing by the heavens or the earth or any other oath. But instead we must be so full of integrity that our “Yes” or “No” is convincing enough and we do not stumble into hypocrisy. James 5:12 (TPT)

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 (NIV)

When all is said and done, you're only as good as your word. — Unknown

The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)

A Fountain Of Life

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? James 3:11 (NIV)

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. Proverbs 10:11 (NLT)

Do not let any unwholesome (corrupt) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:29-30

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. — Mother Teresa

1. Wise Lips

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. Proverbs 10:13 (NIV)

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

If you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:14–17 (NIV)

2. Restrained Lips

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.Proverbs 10:19 (NLT)

The more you talk, the more likely you will cross the line and say the wrong thing; but if you are wise, you’ll speak less and with restraint. Proverbs10:19 (Voice)

Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19–20 (NIV)

3. Feeding Lips

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders. Isaiah 50:4 (MSG)

4. Acceptable Lips

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Proverbs 10:32 (ESV)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

Touched by Fire, Ready to Speak

Unclean lips are caused by an impure heart.

What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 (NLT)

Before God uses a mouth, He purifies it. — Unknown

I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 1, 6:5–7 (NIV)

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:3–4 (NIV)