March 18, 2012 | Leave a comment Today, Sun March 18, 2012, is the twenty-third day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” words of trash and “put on” words of treasure. Many Americans have been watching the NCAA basketball tournament over the past several days. No sport lends itself to trash talking as easily as does basketball and many hall of fame basketball players could also be inducted into the trash talking hall of fame also, should such an institution exist. While few of us are able to dunk a basketball, many of us could possibly mount a strong challenge to be inducted in my imaginary trash talking hall of fame. Jesus points out that such an honor would be counter productive. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36–37 (ESV) I want to “put off” words of trash and “put on” words of treasure. You and I routinely underestimate the power which the words we speak have for others. Imagine if instead of speaking critically, or sarcastically we began to purposefully and intentionally speak encouragingly to those with whom we routinely communicate. The apostle James teaches us how powerful and dangerous is our speech. 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:1–12 (ESV) One who can handle his tongue without stumbling is perfect. James tells us that our tongues are small but makes great claims. When not properly bridled our speech has the power to set the entire course of our lives on fire, with hell fire. The problem is that James says our tongues cannot be bridled or tamed because it is poison. Words of trash are poison not only for those who hear our speech but more importantly to the speaker of such words. You and I are capable of blessing or cursing others who are made in God’s image with our tongues. James plainly teaches that such duplicity in our speech should not exist. For this reason I need to “put off” words of trash and “put on” words of treasure. Here the wisdom of Proverbs concerning our speaking words of treasure. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, . . . . 13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, . . . 19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, . . . . 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, . . . Proverbs 10:11a, 13a, 19, 20a, 21a (NASB) As we prepare for Easter lets “put off” words of trash and “put on” words of treasure!