35. October 16, 2009

We are called to SPEAK LIFE.....to ALL men. How can we speak death with the same tongues that we so fluently quote scriptures and pray eloquent prayers with?

Proverbs 18:21 (Amplified Bible)..."Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]."

One of the most impactful things I have heard Joyce Meyer say is "WHAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH REVEALS THE CONDITION OF OUR HEART."

As Christians, we are held to a higher standard...the Bible makes it very clear...we are to control our tongues. How many times can we say, "ooooooopps...I shouldn't have said that!!"?? We're not fooling anyone. We can know the Word of God inside and out...quote it to all who will hear, tell others how they are supposed to live...but in the end, everyone will know us by our HEART..."what comes out of our mouth reveals the condition of our heart."

In "Top 10 Qualities of a Great Leader" by Phil Pringle, he says, "Wisdom knows what to say, and when and how to say it. She knows what is appropriate for the moment. Fools are recognized by their inappropriateness."

So what does God's word have to say about our tongues and the words we speak???

Matthew 12:37 (Amplified Bible)
"For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced."

Psalm 34:13 (Amplified Bible)
"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

It is so interesting to me that the jaw muscle and tongue are considered some of the strongest muscles in our bodies...So small...yet so powerful...so difficult to control...

James 3:5-18 (Amplified Bible)
"5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!
6 And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna).
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).
8 But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
10 Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.
11 Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.
13 Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]."

Words have tremendous power--either to disarm anger and lead people away from arguments, or to inflame disagreement and hate. God wants us to use our tongue to defuse hate and anger whenever we hear it....not fuel it...or worse, ignite or start it.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
"1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

HE SEES WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS!!! We can't be effective witnesses, sharing His light and His love, if we are a "crusher of spirits." ......"What comes out of our mouth, reveals the condition of our hearts." THIS is how we are known to others!!!

Proverbs 15:18 (NIV) "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."

Relinquish your tongue...and your HEART...to the Lord. Allow Him to have full control. There is no task to small or too large for Him!!

I love The Message version of Ephesians 4:29-31...

Ephesians 4:29-31 (The Message)
"29Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
31-32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."

Very clear instructions. HE can give us the strength and power to control our tongues. We simply have to ask...and truly give Him control.

1 Peter 3:8-12 (New International Version)
"8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Lord, I give you control over my heart, my thoughts, and my tongue. Help me to seek and pursue peace...to share your love, mercy, and grace with everyone...even those who may persecute me.