Words That Cut

James 3:9-10 NIV

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

Ever played with play dough?  I used to love making things when I was a kid.  My creations never looked like much but I continued to try.  As I would mold it, an interesting phenomena happened.  I left behind fingerprints.

Words are powerful.   They leave an impression in our souls and psyche.  Words are like fingerprints in play dough.  To whom ever receives them, our words can help mold a person into the person God created them to be or tear them apart.

The most unruly part of the body is the tongue.  James says we misuse the tongue when we use it to both praise God and curse others.  Curse in this context means to doom someone.  We may doom them to hell with our judgement, doom them to mediocrity, or doom them to any form of a miserable existence.   A Christian should never curse the likeness of God - another person. 
James 3:11 (NIV) says, "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"  Words do the cutting and act like salt which causes pain.

The problem with the tongue is that it can be the rudder of our soul.  An uncontrolled tongue can reveal feelings.  Ever heard someone say, "I did not mean to say that."  Meant or not fingerprints are pressed into that person - your fingerprints.  

Sin does plenty of damage without us adding to it with words that cut the soul.  Take control today.  Do not pour salt into the cuts of the wounded!  We are to restore people to Christ not tear them down.
If you are the victim of the words of another, rest on this - you are God's creation.  God gives us peace.   Allow His Son to be your Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit will bring peace and restoration to your soul.  God is love.