What Comes Out of Your Mouth?

People can tame all kinds of wild animals yet cannot tame their tongue. The tongue is an out-of-control, unruly, wild, evil, full of deadly poison! All sorts of evil such as envy, pride, greed, deceit, hatred, idolatry, blasphemy, etc. find their expression through the tongue. The tongue is a primary cause of difficulties and failures as we walk through our daily life. It's definitely a struggle for all of us (more so in some people like me :)). We can't tame our tongue but God can! We need to pray for God's help and we must think before we speak ("slow to speak"). 

When you curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness, it's like you're also cursing God, their Creator. Christians ought not to allow cursing (swearing, profanity, words that express great hatred or anger) come out of the same mouth that gives praises to God. We cannot pretend that our life is on the right track if we continue to praise and curse with the same tongue. The inconsistency of our tongue will discredit/hinder our testimony. Our words can be used either constructively or destructively. We must bring our tongue under the control of the Holy Spirit and ask Him to make it an instrument of praise and blessing.

How many times have you wished you didn't say what you just said? We can't take our words back! Words can heal, help, or hurt. Words matter; they reveal what's in our hearts. "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 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." (Matthew 12:34b-37) 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)
"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." (Unknown)

"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)

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love others (Mark 12:29-31). Expressing our love to God includes using our mouth to sing, worship, praise, and pray. Expressing our love to people involves using our words to edify, encourage, and comfort others. Let's evaluate what comes out of our mouth. May we implore the Holy Spirit to be our "Tongue Tamer" and may we be obedient and cooperate!

I made up an acrostic to help myself remember how my 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 :)!

Prayer: "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)