Issue #68, November 2, 2011
The strongest muscle in a leader’s body is the tongue. With our words we can build or destroy, create friends or enemies. Our words can encourage or discourage; they can speak truth or lies; they can bring peace or tension. Our words can cut like a knife, or heal like a salve. It is with our words that we communicate our deepest feelings, hopes and dreams. We can make someone smile or start fighting; we can create peace or a riot. Our words have tremendous power. Prov. 18:21 concludes, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”
As leaders we function in places of influence and this multiplies the impact of our tongues either positively or negatively. James makes it clear that those who teach will be held to a higher standard of accountability for the words we speak (James 3:1). Servant leaders understand and leverage the power of their tongues.
The tongue has power to determine our destiny.
Your tongue will literally determine the direction of your life. You are what you say. The scripture says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). When you say, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” it is possible. When you say, “I can’t do that” you’re right. Whether you say you can or you say you can’t you are right! Paul indicates that what we speak determines our eternal destiny. “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Servant leaders learn to speak words that set their destiny according to the word of God.
The tongue has power to praise or curse.
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness”(James 3:9). James indicates that the tongue has power to do the greatest good or the greatest harm. When we praise, we are building up; when we curse, we are tearing down. We can build or destroy with the small muscle inside our mouths. With the same tongue we can say, “You’ll never amount to much.” Or, we can say, “I see God developing a great gift in you in the area of administration.” Servant leaders recognize that they play a significant role in shaping the destiny of those they lead as they use their tongues to build and bless others. They guard against using their tongue to curse others.
The tongue has power to reveal our heart.
Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” What comes out of our mouths is just a reflection of what is within our hearts. We sometimes refer to a misspoken word as a ‘slip of the tongue.’ In reality those words simply indicate what was already in our hearts. When someone is speaking harsh and angry words it reflects a harsh and angry heart. When someone gossips about another it reflects a heart of hatred. A heart of love will be reflected in loving words. If you want to really get to know someone’s heart, take some time to listen carefully to their words. Servant leaders learn to examine their own hearts when their words are not what they want. Instead of blaming external influences, they ask God to change their heart.
Servant leaders recognize the amazing power of their tongues. They intentionally seek to use their tongues to accomplish God’s purposes in the lives of those they influence. They humbly accept the high level of accountability that comes to those who speak as leaders and diligently ask God to change their hearts where needed.
For further reflection and discussion:
Read and reflect on James 3:1-18. Then answer the following questions.
- What have I been ‘speaking’ about my destiny? As a leader, does my speech agree with what the Word says about my direction or does it agree with what the world says? Do I pass on negative reports without thinking about them?
- Have any of the words I have spoken in the past week put others down? Do I use my tongue primarily to bless or to curse?
- What do my words indicate about the condition of my heart? What does my latest ‘slip of the tongue’ say about my heart? Have I truly understood how closely my words are connected to my heart and have I asked God to transform my heart?
- What specific change is God asking me to make this week in my speech?