Control Your Tongue

People can tame all kinds of wild animals yet cannot tame their tongue. The tongue is 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"). With God's help, we must strive to control our tongue.

"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)

The tongue is truly powerful. It can be used for good or for evil. Relationships are built up or destroyed by what we say. Mean words, careless words, and/or untrue words have wrecked many families, divided the Body of Christ, and led many people to shame and despair. We should look for opportunities to encourage, edify, and bless one another with our words. Speak the truth in love with grace, respect, kindness, and gentleness. Quit complaining, criticizing, cursing, cussing, boasting, lying, exaggerating, insulting, yelling (in anger), nagging, manipulating, gossiping, slandering, and hurting others with words. In our families, let's speak loving words of encouragement, appreciation, and affection to our husband and children. Words are powerful tools that can be used to build people up or tear people down. Let's use them wisely and for God's glory! May we implore the Holy Spirit to be our "Tongue Tamer" and may we be obedient and cooperate!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know how much I struggle with my tongue/words. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can speak kind and loving words to all. Please give me patience, grace, humility, gentleness, and thoughtfulness to bless others and show Your love with my words even when the kindness is not appreciated and/or not returned. Please grant me wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep silent. When I'm upset or frustrated, please enable me to hold my tongue and not say anything that I will regret later. Please help me speak only words that edify and encourage others, bring hope and healing, promote peace and unity, and glorify Your Name. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.
"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)
"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)

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 :)!