Tools are intended for specific uses. If we don’t use a tool as its designer intended, the results will probably not be entirely satisfactory. For example, if we use a wrench as a hammer we will probably mar the surface of the thing we are hitting and will likely damage the wrench. Similarly, if we use a hammer instead of a screwdriver to tighten a screw, the screw may not hold as it should and it may be impossible to remove the screw later.
Just as we have designed tools to accomplish specific jobs, God has designed us for a particular purpose. Have you ever thought about why God made us the way He did? Have you wondered about for what tasks God intended the various parts of our body?
For example, why did God give us a voice? For what task did he intend it? Obviously, He meant for us to communicate with our voices. But communicate what? In what ways does God want us to use our voice? The Bible tells us that God made us in His image. It follows that He intended us to use our voices in ways that demonstrate His character. James writes, “…Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13-14 NIV) In another place the Scriptures say, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)
There are many other ways in which we can use our voices to display God’s character. We do so when we tell the truth. We do so when we console others and encourage them. We do so when we guide and instruct people in holy living.
Unfortunately, we we also use our voices in ways that God did not intend. Just as the results are not good when we use a tool for an unintended purpose, we cause much harm when we use our voice for the wrong purpose. James explains it this way, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:9-12 NIV)
The implication is clear. If we claim to belong to God, we will not use our voice to harm or destroy others. We will not use our mouth for evil. It is totally inconsistent for us to curse others and still say that we follow Christ. What do our words tell us about our spiritual condition? To whom does our voice indicate we belong?