BE DELIVERED FROM THE SCOURGE OF THE TONGUE

Job 5:21 KJV
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Dear Believer, 

Eliphaz the Temanite was a loudmouthed friend of Job’s, but he said some interesting things. He made us see that God does protect His people from what he called ‘the scourge of tongues.’

A scourge was an instrument of torment. Jesus was scourged by the Romans before He was crucified. The Roman scourge was called the ‘flagrum.’ Strips of leather with a strong wooden or metal handle were knotted at intervals with sharp metals and sometimes hooks were attached to the tips. This whip was designed to strip the flesh off the body of the victim. Jesus was whipped so much that hardly any flesh was left on his back.

When I read of the scourge of the tongue, I can only imagine the tongue doing what the flagrum did. The human tongue can also be a weapon of torment. When under the control of the devil, it has a tremendous power of destruction.

Just like the flagrum, some people’s tongue is being used to strip the skin off the back of the innocent. They are damaging reputation, breaking homes and stealing opportunities from those who deserve them.

That is why it is important that we are protected from the scourge of the tongue. Many people have weaponized their tongue and have handed it over to the devil to be used against the righteous. It is quite sad that this is true of many professing Believers, also.

I have seen Christian ministries brought down and ruined because of unfounded rumours spread mainly by Christians. Evil things that never took place were said to be going on in those places of worship. One person told the others, and then a little more lie was added as the rumour passed around. Everywhere got saturated with lies about those places and the work of God there became seriously hampered.

That is the scourge of the tongue.

This happens to individuals, too. Some people, even Believers, say things like “Behind every rumour, there’s an element of truth.” They believe this nonsense until someone gets at them with a lie and they are now a victim of a rumour.

David speaks of what God would do to protect His people.

Psa 31:20 KJV
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

The pride of man is the inspiration behind the ‘scourge’ or the ‘strife’ of tongues. We must know how to be guarded against this weapon of the devil.

According to James 3:-5-5, the tongue is a tiny thing that can set a huge place on fire.

James further describes the tongue of the natural man thus:

James 3:8 KJV
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Only God can tame the tongue. And this is only when you commit your tongue to the Lord under the control of the Holy Spirit. There’s a reason God grants us to speak with new tongues. One of the reasons is to purify our tongue with a heavenly language.

There are many tongues that are wagging in judgement against righteous causes and righteous men. You must let the Spirit of God lead you to shut them up and neutralize their effect. You must not be a victim of the scourging tongue.

Isaiah 54:17 KJV
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

The weapon is the tongue. When you notice it is being used against you, your home or your business, take charge spiritually. Condemn the evil tongue. Silence it in the name of Jesus. It is your heritage.

And for this to work in your life, never, ever use your own tongue as a weapon of torment on other people. Don’t join others to ruin someone’s reputation.

You have victory over the evil tongue in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Your friend,
Deon.

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