Controlling Our Tongue

I have never had too much of a problem talking to much. Probably because I was made to observe things rather than speak things. But I can still have problems controlling my tongue. I still can say the wrong things, and even speak my mind in unwholesome ways and when my mouth doesn’t say it, my face usually does.

Ephesians 4:29 says,

“Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”

It’s difficult for me to promise God I will control my mouth. But hopefully little by little I hope He can help me. When I focus on what I’m saying my mouths will pretty much under control. But when I just start babbling what’s in my mind that’s where I get in trouble. I tend to not remember the “but only what is helpful for building others up” part sometimes.

I was reminded of this when someone was speaking about someone and I finished their sentence with what I was thinking. And it wasn’t building them up.

My mind immediately went to the scripture in Psalm 19:14,

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

So as in pure fashion I came home and went to my Bible for help.

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that words can tear down or build up. Our speech is important if we don’t realize this, we will continue to hurt people.

Many of us are not even aware that our words are negative. Think before we speak and pay attention to what we are saying and how we are saying it.

• Are our words complaining, critical, hurtful, disrespectful, or pessimistic?
• What topics do we talk about most? Are they always centered around ourselves or what’s wrong with the world? Do our conversations ever include God?
• Do we talk with purpose or are most of our words frivolous? (Matthew 12:36-37)

If we don’t gauge our words, we will never be able to change them.

Proverbs 21:23 says,

“Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”

I think it all goes back to our hearts. It’s hard to speak good of a person, who has done us wrong or hurt us. That’s where forgiveness comes in. If we don’t forgive we can’t expect to change our hearts or our tongues.

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of evil treasure brings forth evil things” – Matthew 12:34-35

Without God, we are not good (Romans 3, 10). God gives a new heart when we choose Him, but we must remain active and apply good things to get rid of our old habits.

Our hearts are jammed full of life challenges and our mouths are the overflow valve. Our mouth (the overflow valve) is what’s in the reservoir.

We have to be careful to not be conformed to the world, don’t do as the world does.

“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is good, well–pleasing, and perfect will of God.” -Romans 12:1

We can change our tongues. One step at a time, one word at a time. Forgiveness is available, but we have to do our part.

I for one need to not go on autopilot and let my mouth run without putting brakes on my tongue. And I trust God will do His part. He has not failed me yet.