“She said, ‘I hope you won’t be in my class next year.’ ” One evening during dinner with my kids, I was surprised when my 9-year-old randomly shared an incident that had taken place at school. Being a curious child, he had been playing with a door lock while waiting in line for lunch when a teacher—in an attempt to correct his behavior—made a comment that had left an impression on him. Now 2 years later, it was still on his mind.

While there are many characteristics that separate us from the rest of creation, our ability to speak with creative intent is one of the marked attributes we carry as bearers of God’s image. Jesus told His disciples that they would be known by their love for others (John 13:35) and for being conduits of living water (John 7:38). James pulls these two ideas together by revealing the incongruity of professing our love for Christ and cursing the ones whom He lovingly created (Psalm 139:13-14; James 3:9).

Like fire, words are powerful. Just as a flame brings warmth or danger, the things we say can either reveal the light of Christ in us or set in motion a path of destruction around us (Proverbs 18:21). Our words reveal the motives of our hearts; and when it comes to communication, not only do we want to be heard, we often strive for control. Even if we say little.

James, however, teaches that true power and influence come through our submission to God (James 4:7). Self-centered speech (not so much making ourselves the topic of conversation but using our words to accomplish our agendas), produces things that are “earthly, unspiritual, and demonic” (James 3:15).

God-directed speech, though, is a valued treasure (Proverbs 25:11) that carries the restorative power of God’s grace (Colossians 4:6).

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 18:1-30