By Brenda B. Covert
The Christian Online Magazine -
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When you catch a child (or maybe even your spouse) doing a dangerous
thing like licking a knife, you caution them to stop. Furthermore, you
would never dream of setting the table with knives as the only eating
utensils. As long as you are in control, neither you nor your family
members are going to fall victim to cut lips and tongues. You are aware
of the danger and do all you can to protect yourself and others.
But consider this: are you harboring a sharp object within your mouth?
Proverbs 12:18 tells us that, "Reckless words pierce like a sword..."
While we may not attack people physically, do we verbally abuse them?
Has your tongue become your prime weapon, one that you use time after time
to inflict emotional pain on your loved ones? Or, have you been on the
receiving end instead, stabbed through to the heart by harsh words
aimed at you?
For a small, damp muscle, the tongue is a surprisingly powerful
weapon, one that - without proper control - can be used for evil. Therefore, as
witnesses of God's love and grace, we must learn to control our mouths.
This we cannot do on our own; we need to pray as David did in Psalm
141:3 when he said, "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the
door of my lips."
It's too bad that this scripture was not taken to heart by a family
that was in the news a number of years ago. With his parents' blessing, a
young boy stood outside his public school daily and shouted insulting
names at his teachers and principal. In his mind, he was righteously
denouncing the sinners in his midst. Soon, his younger sister joined
him, and before long they were both kicked out of school for the daily
disturbance they were causing. It was apparent during the newscast that
the family felt justified and proud of their children's verbally abusive behavior,
and bore this "persecution" gladly. Unfortunately, their actions did nothing
to further the cause of Christ. After such a hateful and hurtful display, no
one would choose to embrace the God that this family claimed to be serving.
It is also not enough just to guard against harsh words. The rest of
Proverbs 12:18 says, "the tongue of the wise brings healing." Think of
it– rather than using words to hurt, we can use them to heal! Proverbs
16:24 says, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and
healing to the bones." I like that, don't you?
If you need to control your mouth, dwell on the following verses and
call on your heavenly Father for help. He will hear you and grant you
the strength and self-control you desire.
James 3:7-10~ "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of
the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the
tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue
we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been
made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My
brothers, this should not be."
Ephesians 4:29~ "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:25~ "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body."
Ephesians 4:15~ " . . . speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."
James 1:26~ "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not
keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is
worthless."
Col. 4:6~ "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with
salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Proverbs 16:23~ "A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips
promote instruction."
Matt. 12:36-37~ "But I tell you that men will have to give account on
the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your
words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Psalm 19:14~ "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
"Our gracious heavenly Father, You are our Rock and our Redeemer. May
the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing
in your sight. Lord, take command of our tongues, let no unkind or
careless word fall from our lips. We choose this day to use our mouths as
instruments of healing rather than as weapons. Fill us with the
knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. May those
around us hear only gracious speech and by our testimony be drawn to the
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Thank you for granting us strength and
control. You are always faithful. Amen."
Copyright 2001 by Brenda B. Covert
