Taming the Tongue

"Taming the tongue is a tough, troubling, tiring task to tackle triumphantly!" Try saying that ten times fast :). Okay...let's take it seriously now. How many times have you wished you didn't say what you just said? Oops...we can't take our words back! Words can heal, help, or hurt.

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, set the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 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." James 3:2-8 It is so important to constantly guard our tongue.

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who hold his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." Proverbs 15:2

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." Proverbs 21:23

"One of the first things which a physician says to his patient is, 'Let me see your tongue.' A spiritual advisor might do the same." N. Adams

"When anger spreads through the breast, guard your tongue from barking idly." Sappho

"Sometimes you can make a more effective statement by holding your tongue." anonymous

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." Benjamin Franklin

"When I want to speak...let me think first:
-Is it true?
-Is it kind?
-Is it necessary?
If not, let it be left unsaid." Babcock

Tired of tongue troubles? Have you heard of a tool called, "Tongue Tamer"? A censor microchip implanted in our tongue that zaps the tongue every time it utters bad words, mean words, untrue words, inappropriate words, any words that are not pleasing God and automatically disables the tongue for a period of time until the tongue is ready to behave :). A deluxe version even comes with a decibel control so yelling and screaming become instantly mute, except in emergency/ life & death situations. If you have, please let me know. Oh...I wish I could invent that. Just imagine.... While you wait for that tool, perhaps you would like to try the "G.R.E.A.T." tip below.  May we implore the Holy Spirit to be our "Tongue Tamer" and may we be obedient and cooperate!

Our speech should be:

Gentle and gracious  (Philippians 4:5, Proverbs 22:11)
Respectful                (1 Peter 2:17)
Encouraging             (Hebrews 3:13)
Appropriate             (Ephesians 4:29)
Truthful                    (Ephesians 4:15, 4:25)

Have a "G.R.E.A.T." talk today and everyday !

"May the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14

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