This week’s blog is a continuation of the last blog that I posted entitled “Choosing Wisely”. To refresh your memory the scripture reference was Psalm 1:1 (AMP) “Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers),” reminding us that if we are to be followers of Christ we can’t just sit with and listen to anybody’s advice.
We must be careful about and alert to who we listen to, who we sit down with, where we stand, and who we associate with. We must be mindful of what we allow into our entry gates (eyes, ears, nose, and mouth) to our soul.
In the same way that we need to be mindful of what we allow into our entry gates, we also need to be mindful of what we let out of the gate of our mouth. Another reference from my last blog was Proverbs 4:24 (MSG) “…don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth, avoid careless barter, white lies, and gossip”.
This scripture leads me to today’s blog. The other week I was in a conversation with someone at work, I had not known this person for long, so I didn’t know them well. But the person was talking about how good the Lord was and just giving Him all kinds of praises but in the middle of their praise they began using profane language. It made my spirit cringe. I thought, where is this coming from? And Immediately today’s scripture reference came to mind James 3:10 AMP “Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brother, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]”.
Just like God makes it clear that we are to watch and be mindful of what we do, where we go who we listen to, and who we hang out with, He also wants us to watch what we say to any and everyone.
Matthew 15: 11 (CEV) “The food you put in your mouth doesn’t make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean”.
Matthew 15:18 (AMP) For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming”.
Saying the wrong things at the wrong time and in the wrong way can cause conflict and heartbreak and can lead to death of a relationship but saying the right things at the right time and in the right way can bring, life, peace, and healing. Do not let the wrong things come out of you!
We must choose what we allow to come out of our mouths. We should be edifying, encouraging, and lifting others up. We should be speaking life to those we are in relationship with and to others we meet. The word tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” Proverbs 18:21. May we always choose to speak life and not death into our own lives and into the lives of others.
Prayer: Lord let there be no filthiness, no foolish talk no crude joking or any other out of place speech (Ephesians 5:4) be released from our lips, help us to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from deceitful speech so that we may see good days in this life we love (1 Peter 3:10). We will not let any corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths, but only that which is good to the use of edifying, that minister grace unto the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). May we not take the name of the Lord in vain (Deuteronomy 5:11) for scripture tells us “on the day of judgement people will give an account for every careless or useless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36) but let there be thanksgiving, praise, and life - giving words flowing from our hearts filled with your love. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord our strength and redeemer (Psalm 10:19). In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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