In speaking tonight with a brother in Christ, he mentioned something that I thought was worth wile posting something here at MyPraize. The power of the tongue. Wow! If I could even come close to articulating in typing, what I feel passionately about this topic, I would be happy. The tongue is so powerful, and yet we are so careless as to how we use it. Scripture is full of verses that deal with the issue of the tongue, and using it wisely. Instead of typing a bunch of “thought” on the subject I want to share with you, a personal experience. In 1992, 1993 and 1994 I was on staff with YWAM (Youth With a Mission), with a summer camp ministry. We did summer camps all over Canada, and Eastern U.S. At these camps, we had a very strict rule: “No put down humor.” Put down humor is, “speaking death.” We had a zero tolerance for put down Humor with the staff, and with all of the campers. I want to tell you folks, it was amazing. When no one could put anyone else down, even in humor, God revealed to me the power of the tongue. There was such an uplifting spirit in that camp, and everyone lifted each other up, instead of putting down. Each new group that came in, we had to start all over again. When we speak, principalities move, and doors open. I do not want to get into that “deep” of an analogy, but in reality, every time we speak discouragement we are speaking “death.” Every time we speak uplifting, encouragement we speak “Life.” We can either glorify Satan, or we can glorify God. The biggest realization, as to the impact that those summers with YWAM, came to me when I came home. Someone made a very simple, non aggressive joke toward me. Something that would have never bothered me three months earlier. When they said it, my Spirit ached. My feelings were not hurt. I “personally” did not take offense. My Spirit, however, grieved. To this day, if someone says something like, “Nice haircut, next time have the lawn mower sharpened…” I just say, “Death has no hold on me, and never will.” In a sense, I am doing two things. I am rejecting what they said, and not allowing it to have any part of my life, and I am keeping myself from speaking death back at them. They did not mean any harm. They did not even offend me, or hurt my feelings. But to mock someone else is to break their spirit. Here are a few Scriptures to think about. I would encourage everyone to really think about the power of your tongue. Instead of using “put-down” humor, why not use encouragement, and uplifting words? I will not comment on each Scripture below, but please take the time to really contemplate each one, and apply it to your life. Pr 10:19 19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 1Pe 3:10 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. Jas 4:11 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. Ps 101:5 5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. Matthew 15:17-19 17"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Slandering others ranks right up there with: Murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, and false testimony! Pr 13:1-4 1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. 3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. 4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Tit 3:1-3 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. I will end with a quote from Will Roger’s: "If there is no malice in your heart, there can't be none in your jokes," -Will Rogers PS- Any fellow YWAM’ers out there? PM me! -Matt Gaiser