"Taming the tongue is a tough, troubling, tiring task to tackle triumphantly!" Try saying that ten times fast (I like tongue-twisters :)). 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 guard our 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 constantly evaluate the words that come out from our mouth.
The tongue is truly powerful. It can be used for good or for evil; words can be used constructively or destructively. 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. Let's speak words of gratitude and of grace to one another. In our families, let's speak loving words of encouragement, appreciation, and affection to our siblings, parents, husbands (for me and for Leslie soon), and children (for me). 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!
"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
"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
I'd like to share a "G.R.E.A.T." tip :). Our speech should be:
G entle and gracious (Philippians 4:5, Proverbs 22:11)
R espectful (1 Peter 2:17)
E ncouraging (Hebrews 3:13)
A ppropriate (Ephesians 4:29)
T ruthful (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
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know how much we struggle with our tongue/words. Please fill us with Your Spirit so that we can speak kind and loving words to all. Please give us patience, grace, humility, gentleness, and thoughtfulness to bless others and show Your love with our words even when the kindness is not appreciated and/or not returned. Please grant us wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep silent. Please use our words to heal others & give them hope and to glorify Your Name. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.
"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 guard our 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 constantly evaluate the words that come out from our mouth.
The tongue is truly powerful. It can be used for good or for evil; words can be used constructively or destructively. 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. Let's speak words of gratitude and of grace to one another. In our families, let's speak loving words of encouragement, appreciation, and affection to our siblings, parents, husbands (for me and for Leslie soon), and children (for me). 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!
"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
"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
I'd like to share a "G.R.E.A.T." tip :). Our speech should be:
G entle and gracious (Philippians 4:5, Proverbs 22:11)
R espectful (1 Peter 2:17)
E ncouraging (Hebrews 3:13)
A ppropriate (Ephesians 4:29)
T ruthful (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
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know how much we struggle with our tongue/words. Please fill us with Your Spirit so that we can speak kind and loving words to all. Please give us patience, grace, humility, gentleness, and thoughtfulness to bless others and show Your love with our words even when the kindness is not appreciated and/or not returned. Please grant us wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep silent. Please use our words to heal others & give them hope and to glorify Your Name. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.