How do we curse ourselves or others? Words that are derogatory, critical, bitter, accusing, tearing down, speaking death words, frowning, rejection, etc. 

How do we bless ourselves or others? Affirming, encouraging, speaking truth in love, speaking Scripture, smiling, building up, comforting, etc. Life-giving words are gracious, wholesome, building up, and complimenting based on character.

2 Corinthians 5:16 says to not regard others according to the flesh. Verse 17 says that we are new creations in Christ, therefore our view of ourselves and others should line up with Scripture. Do you see yourself as He sees you? That is the key to freedom from self-hatred and self-rejection.

Seeing ourselves and others through the flesh blinds us from encouraging them to potential. We focus on their lack rather than God’s ability to save or regenerate. God alone is able to turn hearts. Our negative thoughts translate to negative body language that discourages rather than encourages.

The Holy Spirit showed me something that I never connected with before. James 1:8 says that the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Please read these verses with that in mind regarding our thoughts.

James 3:9-12 says, “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”

Everyone is made in the image of God. Through our thoughts first then words, we either bless or curse others as well as ourselves. It is either or in our secret dialogue in our minds.

Think of the word ruminate. The cow eats grass. Lies down, brings it back up and chews it again. Do you ruminate on things from your past? Our past is gone forever. We cannot go back to it physically. To bring it back up into our mind and rehearse it is futile activity that bears no fruit.

What bears fruit that glorifies the Lord? John 15:1-8 is about abiding in the Vine. It is in intimate communion that the Lord shares His heart and imparts revelational insights. I love His insights. They are fresh bread to us like manna was to the children of Israel ~ life-giving and sustaining.

When we ruminate on Scripture, we bring it into our heart. Then later it is there for us to think about. It becomes implanted and deeply rooted as we bring it in and out of our mind. James 1:21 says that the implanted word will save our soul.

Our thoughts impact and influence our conduct. Either our conduct pleases or displeases the Lord. Our thoughts become edible fruit that nourishes or poisons us and others. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…” Salt is a preservative. We want life-giving words to remain.

Words are launched from our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 is a list we can compare our thoughts to. Are your thoughts: true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report? Proverbs 16:23 says, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 Amplified says, “…For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts…” If you wonder how your thought life is affecting you, check out your health.

Proverbs 18:21 says that our tongue speaks death or life. Life-giving words come from speaking Scripture to ourselves and to others. Here are a few examples. ‘I am made in the image of God’ Genesis 1:26. ‘God’s hands have made and fashioned me’ Psalm 119:73. ‘I was chosen before time began’ Ephesians 1:4. 

Hearing God’s word increases faith. Romans 10:17. Faith affirmations conform our thoughts, purpose, and actions to God’s will and ways. It is the work of righteousness which brings peace, quietness, and assurance. Isaiah 32:17.

Speaking Scripture bridles our tongue to turn our lives. James 3:3  says, “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey  us, and we turn their whole body.”

For several days I meditated on James 3:2 and 6. Verse 2 says, “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” Perfect here means maturity. 

Verse 6 was negative about the tongue. However, as I meditated, the Holy Spirit showed me the positive. So exciting to think about. “…The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body…”

Think of the benefits! With our tongue we can build up, nourish, impact, influence, strengthen, fortify, vitalize, encourage, protect, bring peace and calm, and energize. Wow!

Our words reflect our thoughts. Therefore, our thoughts precede unspoken and spoken words.

Psalm 139:2 says, “…You understand my thought afar off.” Verse 4 Amplified says, “For there is not a word in my tongue (still unuttered), but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What joy is set before us that will help us endure our temptations, trials, adversities, hardships, and circumstances that seem impossible? 1 Peter 1:8 says, “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

Gazing at the Lord brings inner transformation. 1 Corinthians 3:18. Peter, James, and John were on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured. Matthew 17:8 says, “When they had lifted their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

Don’t be distracted by your tests. Center your focus on the Lord. Remain in His Presence and the external will fade.

Temptations test our faithfulness to God. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful…”  Trials test our faith. 1 Peter 1:7 says, “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire…”

Adversity tests our strength. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Galatians 6:9 ~ not faint. Endurance is the test of our love. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says of love, “Bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.”

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

Our heart is our belief center. We are encouraged throughout Scripture to hide His word in our heart. When we don’t it allows spiritual weeds to propagate quickly. Mark 4:19 calls them: cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and desire for other things, “…choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.”

Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “…do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Unresolved issues are ‘places’ that the enemy uses against us. Note that giving ground over to satan followed the warning to not go to bed with anything smoldering in  our heart.

Being angry comes in many forms. We might excuse this sin by camouflaging it in words such as frustrated, annoyed, or irritated. They are all reactions from our fleshly desires. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy…” Verse 10 ends with, “…in honor giving preference to one another.”