Blessing & Cursing • Why Your Words Matter | Taming Our Tongues | Messianic Teachings

The Power of Our Speech

In a powerful message delivered at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Ashley Wilson addressed the critical importance of our speech as followers of King Yeshua. She began by sharing her personal journey of conviction regarding the words she spoke, highlighting how our language profoundly impacts our relationship with God and our witness to the world.

The core of the teaching revolves around the biblical principle that blessing and cursing should not proceed from the same mouth. Drawing from James chapter 3, Ashley illustrated the tongue’s immense power by comparing it to a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a ship. Just as these small instruments can control large entities, our seemingly insignificant words hold tremendous power to direct the course of our lives and influence others.

Ashley emphasized that our speech is a direct reflection of what resides in our hearts. Quoting Yeshua from Luke 6:45, she stated, “For from the overflow of the heart, his mouth speaks.” Using the analogy of a spilled cup of coffee, she explained that our reactions and the words we utter in everyday situations reveal the true contents of our hearts. Therefore, if our speech is marked by cursing, mocking, sarcasm, or unkindness, it indicates a deficiency in our love for God and others.

The Stumbling Block of Unloving Speech

A significant point of the message was how the unloving speech of believers can be a major stumbling block for those who do not yet know Yeshua. Ashley shared her conviction that the words we speak to and about others are one of the biggest obstacles we place in front of the unbelieving world. She recounted her own past struggle with foul language, even while maintaining a facade of righteousness in certain settings, revealing the hypocrisy of “being two completely different people.”

Referencing Ephesians 4:29, which encourages us to let no harmful word come out of our mouths but only what is beneficial for building up others, Ashley expressed her horror at realizing that “obscene, coarse, and stupid talk” is listed alongside sins like sexual immorality and greed. This realization underscored the seriousness with which God views our casual and careless words.

Love as the Foundation of Our Words

Ashley connected the issue of our speech directly to the greatest commandments: to love Adonai our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. She argued that if our words are not loving, then we are not fulfilling these foundational commands. Drawing from Matthew 22:37-40, she highlighted that everything we do and everything we say hangs on these two principles.

Furthermore, she addressed the damaging nature of negative speech patterns such as anger, insults, and mockery. Referencing Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5 during the Sermon on the Mount, she pointed out that even anger towards a brother or sister can lead to judgment, and insults carry severe consequences. Quoting Bible teacher Felicia Mason Hymer, she asserted, “You cannot love that which you mock.” This principle extends to how we speak about everyone, as every person is created in the image of God.

The Power of Life and Death in the Tongue

The teaching emphasized the profound impact of our words, citing Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Ashley explained that we will eat the fruit of what we speak. If we sow gossip, slander, and mockery, we will reap those negative consequences. Conversely, speaking blessings, kindness, grace, and mercy will yield positive fruit.

Using practical examples, such as reacting to a reckless driver or expressing opinions about political leaders, Ashley illustrated the choice we have to speak either death and curses or life and blessings. She contrasted negative, critical reactions with prayerful, благословляющие responses, highlighting the peace and positive influence that life-giving words can bring.

Ashley also addressed the issue of sarcasm, defining it as “contempt disguised as humor.” While acknowledging that some might perceive sarcasm as harmless, she cautioned against it, suggesting that only Yeshua, who can see into hearts, has the prerogative to use it, and we should “err on the side of caution.”

Practical Application for Everyday Life

• Be Mindful of Your Words: Pay attention to the language you use in all situations, whether with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers.
• Eradicate Harmful Language: Consciously eliminate foul, obscene, crude, and sarcastic speech from your vocabulary.
• Speak Life and Build Up: Choose words that encourage, edify, and offer grace to those who hear them, according to their needs.
• Pray Instead of Cursing: When faced with frustration or disagreement, choose to pray for the person rather than speaking negatively about them.
• Love Through Your Speech: Let your words be a reflection of your love for God and your neighbor, remembering the greatest commandments.
• Avoid Mockery and Insults: Recognize that mockery is contrary to love and can have serious spiritual consequences.
• Cultivate Gentle Responses: As Proverbs 15:1 states, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
• Speak Truth and Blessing Over Yourself and Others: Counter negative self-talk and speak words of life and encouragement to your family and those around you.
• Guard Against Gossip and Complaining: Be mindful of speaking negatively about family members or others, choosing instead to share struggles with trusted friends in a constructive way.
• Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to speak in every situation, knowing that He is faithful to provide.
• Reflect on Your Heart: Use your speech as an indicator of the condition of your heart, recognizing that what comes out of your mouth originates within.

The Need for Divine Intervention

Acknowledging the difficulty of taming the tongue through willpower alone, Ashley shared her personal experience of initially stopping foul language through sheer determination, only to relapse. She emphasized the truth of James 3:8: “But no human being can tame the tongue.” True and lasting change comes through confessing our sin to God, repenting, and giving the Holy Spirit control over our speech.

Ashley recounted the moment she prayed and asked God to take the foul words from her, and He did so instantly. This experience highlighted the necessity of surrendering this aspect of our lives to God’s authority. However, she cautioned that neglecting our relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and worship can lead to old habits resurfacing, serving as a “check engine light” indicating a need to return to submission.

Our Calling as Peculiar People

Ashley concluded by reminding the congregation that as followers of Yeshua, we are meant to be different from the culture around us, a “peculiar people.” In a world where gossip, unkindness, and cursing are common, we are called to choose a different path, one marked by love and life-giving words. Our commitment to loving God and our neighbor should manifest in our speech.

The ultimate reminder came from Matthew 12:36: “That I tell you on the day of judgment, men will give account for every careless word they speak.” Our words have eternal significance, and we will be held accountable for them. Therefore, we are called to be a blessing through our speech, allowing the Holy Spirit to bridle our tongues so that our words bring healing, comfort, and light to the world.

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