CD - The Second Commandment - James 3:8-10

Gosh, golly, gee whiz, jeez, OMG. These are phrases we hear all the time and oftentimes think nothing of them. We also hear worse profanity and cursing; sometimes we are offended, but other times we do not even notice. It is unfortunate that this misuse of God’s name is so prevalent. I can see Satan grin every time someone unthinkingly misuses our Lord’s name.

James talks about how powerful is the tongue. Although it is one of the smallest organs, it can either build or destroy. I cringe in pain each time I see someone hurt because of an unchecked tongue. How many lives I have seen virtually destroyed because these people were told how useless they were. When that is the message they hear over and over, they begin to believe it. I recall the very first class I taught. I was told over and over that I had the bad class, the worst class in the school. I still recall the first day of class; several of the students themselves told me they were the “bad” class. It took many hours of reeducating those youngsters that they were not bad, that they were loved no matter what they did, but that their behavior was not always what it should be. I can still recall one of the kids asking, “How can you love us when we are so bad?” It is simple: Jesus loves you, so how can I do any less?

The tongue can indeed destroy, but it can also be a very powerful, positive, motivating source. I have always been taught that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. In other words, you can get more out of people by positive praise and encouragement than by telling them that they are bad. I do not mean that we lie, or over-do praise, but we do use praise, and we do help people see they are valuable and have worth.

Our value and worth come not from ourselves, but from the fact that God loved us so much He sent His only Son, Jesus, to live, suffer, die, and rise for our salvation. If God loved us that much, who are we to love each other any differently, or any less.

There are indeed other misuses of God’s name as Luther mentions in the Small Catechism, namely in fortune-telling, witchcraft, satanic arts, lying and deceiving, etc. There are numerous right uses also, such as praying, praising, giving thanks and calling on Jesus when we are in trouble.

As the saying goes, next time we open our mouth, we should first engage our minds. Try, with the help of the Holy Spirit, using your tongue to praise someone, to thank someone, or simply to acknowledge someone’s input or presence. Proverbs 15:1 says it best, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” You will be amazed at what your tongue can do. To God alone be the glory.

Dear Jesus, forgive me when I have called someone a name, or hurt them by what I have said. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to learn to stop and think before I speak. Help me to learn to speak positive, encouraging things to others. Help me to build others up rather than tearing them down. For Jesus’ sake I pray. Amen.