Watch Your Mouth

We all have our individual thing, but pride is something we share in common.  Just when I thought I had a reasonable amount of reign over my tongue, last week I found myself in a situation responding to provocation out of pride instead of faith.  In retrospect, it was probably best not to say anything at all, but I did, so here goes a post that should be beneficial to all.  Oh, the power of the tongue!  Let me keep this brief.

All words have power and meaning, whether spoken, written, or even thought.  After all, God formed the world from ‘mere’ words (Gen 1:1-2:3).  Surely, a Facebook status updates, Tweets, texts, etc. are seeds that will produce a harvest, either negatively or positively.  Our tongues -whether literally speaking, or symbolic of formed word- have the power of life and death (Pr 18:21).  One more time, so we’re all are clear on what God is telling us:  LIFE or DEATH!  There’s no such thing as an idle word.  They’re all potent.  And the Holy Bible is full of instruction on how we are to use, and not misuse words. 

We’re to use word wisely, so that they may bring healing, not wounds (Pr 12:18).  Our words are to be truthful, not deceitful, bringing false testimony or slander (Ps 34:13; Pr 6:19; 15:4; 22:22).  They’re to be gentle, not harsh (Pr 15:1).  (The Lord might as well have called me by name on that one!)  We are not to quarrel, but gently instruct (2 Tim 2:24-25; Pr 17:19; 20:23).  Quarrelling is often the result of pride brought on by provocation (Pr 13:10; Ecc 7:9).  Guarding our words will keep us from a whole lot of trouble (Pr 21:23)!  It’s wise to hold our tongues in many cases, because where words are many sin is not absent (Pr 10:19).  Look at the trouble we can save ourselves by deciding not to involve ourselves in certain conversations.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales (1 Tim 4:7).  Destruction awaits a person who even listens to lies (Pr 21:28).  Leave the controversy and gossip alone (1 Tim 1:4; 6:4; Tit 3:9; 2 Tim 2:25; Pr 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20, 22: 2 Co 12:20)!  It only stirs up dissension (Pr 6:14, 19; 10:12; 15:18; 16:28; 28:25; 29:22; Ro 13:13; Gal 5:20).            

But consider the difference between when a wise and righteous person speaks and when a wicked fool speaks (Ps 37:30-31; Pr 10:20-21).  If there’s anything we should speak about, it’s the reason for our hope, which is in Christ Jesus (1 Pe 3:15-16).  And we are to be certain that the words we speak are from the Holy Spirit, not our own pride (Lk 12:11-12). If we boast, it should be in his greatness, not what we perceive to be our own (Jer 9:24; 1 Co 1:31; 2 Co 10:17; Gal 6:14).  If there’s anything we should focus on, it should be whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Php 4:8).  Our eyes should be set on the Lord (1 Co 2:2).