Most, if not all Christians would say that they don't have any problem with the sixth commandment: "You shall not murder." But do we realize that we all have a potential "weapon" at our disposal that could cause us problems with the sixth commandment? What "weapon" is that?

It is the tongue. The Bible has a lot to say about the power of the tongue. The apostle James tells us that the tongue "is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). The Proverbs tell us: "Death [the sixth commandment] and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21).

Are we aware of the powerful effect our words can have on others? The Bible doesn’t tell us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" for no reason at all!

As children of God we are to use our tongue to have a positive influence on others. "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:23-24). "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Proverbs 15:4).

Our words should edify others. If they have problems, we can encourage them with out words. Encouragement works like "a tree of life". The other person feels better and doesn’t see the situation so negatively. After all, who gets angry when hearing encouraging words?

On the other hand, most of us have said things at times that we wish we would not have said. That's why King Solomon tells us: "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18). Proverbs 15, verse 28 tells us: "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."

James also tells us: "No man can tame the tongue," but that is exactly what we must do if we want to become perfect like our heavenly Father. "If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2; cf. Matthew 5:48).

How do we accomplish that with our words? Where do we start?

With prayer! "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!