From the archives of Evelyn Roberts – Part Two of Two Parts
I doubt that any of us have ever picked up a sword and literally cut off somebody’s ear. But have you ever done it with your tongue?
Our tongue can do two things: It can either lift people up, or it can put them down. James 3:8-10 NKJV says, “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 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.”
People can change you by what they say. They can depress you or they can encourage you. Have you ever had one of your friends say to you, “My goodness, you look sick today”? You often begin to feel as though you are sick when someone says you look sick.
Our tongue can cut off ears just like a sword. I’ve said things to people and wished a thousand times I’d never said them. I can’t deny them, and I can’t undo them. But I can repent and ask for forgiveness from God and the people I’ve said the things to.
Jesus forgave Peter for all that he did. Do you know how I know? When the women went to the tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, the angel told them, “Go tell His disciples…and Peter…that He is risen” (Mark 16:7 NKJV).
Jesus knew Peter was made of the right stuff, but Peter had a wrong attitude. He just got off to a slow start. Don’t we all get off to a slow start sometimes and need help? Instead of using our tongues to cut off the ear of a person who is struggling, let us use our tongues to lift them up and encourage them.
