James 3:9-10 Praising and Cursing

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9-10

Every believer has no problems with giving praise to God. Each Sunday, in church, people will sing songs of praise to God. When things go good, they will often give thanks to God. Later, however, they will curse another person.

Cursing a person has become a common place thing in our culture. Although in Biblical times it was looked at as more of a condemnation or asking God (or any god) to bring harm to someone. Often in the ancient days the curse would be stated in a long statement. Today, instead of a long phrase, short words or phrases are used to condemn a person. The words may have changed, but the meaning is still there. When a person curses someone today, he still desires some form of harm or condemnation to come upon that person. James tells us that this should not be the case.

You have to remember that every person is made in the image of God. Would you curse God? Would you curse His image? Most people will say no to these questions, yet, many will curse another person without any thought about it. When you curse a person, you are essentially also cursing God. Jesus had said as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me.

As a believer your speech should be bringing praise to God and building other people up. It does not matter if the person is a very “bad” person, breaking all of the rules of man and God…you are just as bad in sinning against God. Remember you also are a filthy rotten sinner. The only difference is you have been saved by God’s grace and mercy. That other person also needs God’s grace and mercy. Will you condemn him or will you point Him to God? You are not God and do not have the authority to curse any person or thing. Ask God to change the words of your mouth. Learn to bless and not curse. No person or thing in this world deserves to be cursed by you if God does not curse that person or thing.

I pray that today God will place new words of blessing in your mouth; that God will change your heart to bring out only blessings; that God will reveal to you the grace and mercy He has had on you; that God will help you to be a blessing to others; and that God will strengthen you to be His witness daily in your speech.