The word “tungsten” may be familiar to many people; especially those with a science background. If you are like me, when I first heard the word, I had no clue what it was. I thought to myself, what an odd name and how do you spell it? I did the next best thing to calling a science major and hit up Wikipedia. After the search engine pulled up the results, I dove in. Tungsten is a rare metal found naturally on earth almost exclusively combined with other elements in chemical compounds rather than alone.
As I continued reading, I learned this metal is also known by another odd word. This word is identified as wolfram. That is right, wolf next to the word ram. Wolfram. I furthered my study in absorbing insight on this rare metal and was quite impressed on its unique properties used to strengthen other metals. Thanks to Wikipedia I had caught up on those days in high school when I slept in class twenty-five years ago. By the looks of our direction you would think this is about geology, but it is not. God has an amazing way of unlocking spiritual revelation through what is surrounding us in creation. This word has many parallels. It will take me several parts to unfold the fullness of its purposes. In this write up we will focus on how tungsten unravels the effects of our tongue. Let us continue from where this all started.
It was March 6, 2019, when I heard the word “tungsten,” whispered into my ear. I came to quickly and sat up on my bed. As I was waking up, I repeated the word to myself a couple of times, puzzled. I had never heard this word before, and l as mentioned it just sounded odd. I was not sure who the messenger was that whispered it, but it was clear enough to wake me up and get my attention. I figured it was an angel, but it could have just been the Lord Himself. I got up and started to pray into the situation. As I was praying into this, I heard the word pronounced as two words, “tongue” and “sting.” This play on words gave me clear direction on where this was heading: the sting of the tongue.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This nursery rhyme is more like an endorsement for bullying. Anyone can attest the muscles in our mouth can wield a damaging sting. When our tongue joins with hatred and anger it will spark damaging effects. The Apostle James writes, “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is a world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature), But the tongue can be tamed by no man. It is restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness.” James 3:3-9.
The pun that unfolded this interpretation is centered on the effect of our tongue. We ALL stand guilty of hatred and anger in our heart at some point. In those heated moments we have cursed, slandered, criticized, and proudly elevated our self-righteous positions. The effect was a tongue-sting towards another person. There is not one person who can claim innocence of these shortcomings at one time or another. Our guilt before God with careless words is clear.
However, God is not shocked at the actions of man. He is full of mercy, slow to anger, and extremely patient. Why is God patient with the immaturity of man? He is patient because He sees our full potential. The potential to walk in an upright position with Him and demonstrate His nature to the world. If we want to obtain the higher calling in God, we must embrace His discipline. His discipline for our immaturities will put an end to the negative effects of our tongue.
In our society we have a court system that states, “innocent until proven guilty.” It takes evidence and a jury to prove an individual’s guilt. Why, because it is the duty of the people to bring a just judgement about someone they do not know. No juror wants to go to bed wondering if they sent an innocent person to prison. However, the Kingdom of God has a court of a higher position.
God’s justice is far superior than our court system. His rulings are superior because He is all knowing. He is the just judge. God does not use the phrase ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ God does not need a trial with jurors to find evidence. God is the witness and will testify to all our actions. If we drive the stinger from our lips into the back of another brother or sister God is listening to this slander and gossip. When we criticize leaders where God has clearly said to pray for our leaders, He is not turning a deaf ear. God’s justice states we are “guilty until proven innocent.” God is just and right in this verdict. Romans 3:10 declares, “As it is written, none is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no not one.” The Kingdom of God is not built through words that tear down but with words that build up.
Likewise, the Church must mature in her actions towards one another. No one in the Church can claim to love God while hating their brother or sister. According to God that is a definition of a liar in John 4:10. Here is the verdict. God has already judged sin and provided an escape for our guilt through Jesus. We will either strengthen those around us or we will tear them down. We must reverse the sting of the tongue by bearing fruit through repentance. The devil’s oldest trick in the book is to sow division. He let that trick out of the bag with Cain and Abel. The Church cannot prevail against the gates of hell if the Church is building the walls hell’s gates.
The Tungsten Effect is about God strengthening His Church and expanding His Kingdom. As we mature into God’s nature, we will reverse the sting of our tongue. We will not fall into the devil’s schemes that reap division and wound others. We will become the Church that Jesus promised. We will become a body of believers that will not tolerate slander and uphold a higher calling in God. In the same way tungsten is used to strengthen metals, we will strengthen each other. We will reverse the effects of our tongue through the actions of repentance and forgiveness. This will empower the Church to stand against the Gates of Hell.
– Jonathan Blanchard