This week we have seen unprecedented rain fall. Many have called this a historic event. This rain has caused shutdowns and caused many to have to work from home when that was even possible. Torrential rains can lead to loss of property through flooding and even the loss of life.

Rain isn’t usually bad, but for the most part, it is beneficial. Without it we would run out of drinking water, trees and plants would wither away, and the crops that we depend on for food would eventually dry up and die. On a more minor note, we depend on rain to supply water for washing our dishes and clothes.

So, we can see that rain can truly be good or it can be bad. The scriptures teach about something else that can be used for good or for bad and that is the tongue, or more specifically, the words we speak. In the book of James, it says it this way: “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.”

With our words we can build others up or we can tear others down. We can encourage others, or we can discourage them with what we say.

We can speak words that lead others to Jesus or that pushes them away.