"Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."
There is much admonition in the Scriptures, mainly in Psalms and Proverbs, about guarding our words, watching what we say. Most of us have no idea just how incredibly powerful our words can be. They can literally bring life or they can bring death. We make the choice by what we say.
Genesis 1 and 2 is a perfect example. "God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light. And God said, 'Let there be birds of the air and . . . ', and they were." God said, and the world was created. The spoken word. The angel Gabriel spoke that Mary would conceive, and she did. Jesus spoke, and the wind stopped and people were healed. Peter spoke and cripples were healed and the dead were raised. Elijah spoke and there was no rain. Over and over in the Scriptures we read of things happening when people uttered words of grace.
How many times has your own heart been cut by words spoken in anger or thougtlessness? Once the words are out, they can never be reclaimed. James speaks of the tongue and the destruction it can cause if not bridled. We run into this everyday. When we are in conversation with others, do our words bring life or death, healing or hurt, encouragement or criticism? Do we need to "bite our tongues" more often then we do? Are some of the things we say REALLY necessary? And if you truly want to get at the root of speaking, look inside at the attitude of your heart. For there, of course, is where everything begins.
Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. For out of the heart flow rivers of living water. Open your complete concordance and begin searching out the Scriptures that use the words "tongue", "lips", "mouth", "words", "said", "say", "spoke (n)", etc. and see just how much is written about our words. I promise, you will be utterly amazed. Remember the old proverb, "Silence is Golden"? Well, silence IS golden, but duct tape is silver !!!! Which technique are you implementing?
Our speach is intended to glorify God Almigty in all manner and form. It is to be used to edify and encourage. It is meant to bring life. Does it?
Lord Jesus, as David wrote: "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." Convict me, Holy Spirit, of everything I utter that is out of line with your Holy Word. Shut my mouth when it needs to be shut, and open it with words of grace and praise. I ask in your most holy name. Amen.
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