07/03/2022
As Christians we struggle mightily to control our tongues, and keep our language not only wholesome, but focused on righteous revelations that will help us, and those around us who might not know our Father yet. What we say in a moment of anger, or by revealing some sinful thought as it races through our mind, can undo in a split second what the Lord has spent years preparing within a soul that He has been leading to receive His Son Jesus, and ultimately Himself. To avoid such evil outbursts and not to become a setback to another’s faith, we must continuously wrestle with that worldly voice within us that remains ever vigilant within us, and seeks any small opening, or chink in our armor, into which it can slip its vile sword. Our guard must always be up, and our minds focused on what is righteous, peaceful, and good. Are we doing this today, and every day? Is our armor perfectly fitted, and are we continuously manning the wall in defense of our righteousness?
“For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
1 Peter 3:10-11 ESV
We can each look back on our lives and find those moments when the reins we held on our tongues suddenly slipped from our grip, and our language ran reckless through the once calm countryside of our faith, spewing unrighteous thoughts, or perhaps allowing our sinfulness to spread subtle lies, or deceit. Sometimes these occurrences seem to be hardly noticeable, or are so well disguised that we convince ourselves that they didn’t actually occur, or that they caused little to no harm. We put the look of pain in another’s eyes, or the fact that someone quit coming to church, out of our mind, and refuse to take responsibility for the damage our tongues have done, but the things we say , and do, don’t go unnoticed…
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””
1 Peter 3:12 ESV
God witnesses all the good, and bad we do. He sees us when His Word flows like honey from our mouths, and He also sees the damage done by the evil, and sinful outbursts of our tongue, and the behavior it encourages.
Many years ago I was playing in an intramural football game in college, and if we won this game our team would win the championship that season. Well, something happened during that game that sparked anger, and fury, to erupt in me, and I went into a tirade of cursing and shouting of obscenities that would have made a Drill Sargent proud. It ended as quickly as it started, but I still carry the remorse, and embarrassment of that moment to this day. Interestingly enough I don’t remember what led up to my outburst, but I sure remember my subsequent language, and behavior. I am quite certain that others in attendance that day remember it too. The good reputation I had previously earned through my faith was forever tarnished during that game, and I know there was damage done to others as they heard terrible words they had never heard before, or that were joined together in such a way, that the memory of them was irreversibly imprinted on their minds. The sudden impact of knowing these vile expressions would certainly become irreparable.
Although I might be exaggerating somewhat, it sure felt that way at the time, and feels that way today. My friends were subjected to nearly every foul word I had ever heard while growing up on military bases around the world; they came pouring out of me like a flood.
So how do we maintain a firm grip on our tongue? How do we avoid doing damage to souls who look to us, and typically see Jesus in our daily lives? How do we hold our sinful past, or the bad things we have seen, at bay when Satan’s sword finds a chink in our armor, or circumstances suddenly release these suppressed thoughts. How do we avoid becoming something foreign to those around us, as if a demon has erupted from this person they once thought they knew, or a sin surfaces in a lie, or in a moments revelation of subtle deceit from this person of faith they once admired for their belief? Well, we prepare ourselves for the possibility that this can happen to us, and we do so by realizing that it is a very real possibility. We need to quit fooling ourselves by believing that these things happen to others, but never to us; that we will not be tempted in this way. We need to read God’s Word, think through situations that could lead to such occurrences, and constantly dwell on things that are good, and righteous.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
So, bridling our tongue is paramount to the practice of our faith. Time might cover up our past, or the unrighteous thoughts we have had, by piling good thoughts and behaviors atop them, but we must continuously choose to keep them buried, and bury them deeper with each passing day. Are we doing this? Are we concentrating on the good, the righteous, and constantly adjusting our spiritual armor to cover every chink in it that Satan might find? Are we remaining cognizant of the fact that our tongue, and our behavior, is just as susceptible to bad behavior as anyone else’s?
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Today let’s hold tight to our tongue because it poses a real danger to us, and to those around us…
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”
Psalm 34:13-15 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for helping us to control our tongues by giving us instruction concerning the damage they can do to us, and those around us. Thank you for every scripture which encourages us to be aware of the harm our words can do. Help us to see clearly the power in even a single word. You created all we know by speaking it into existence, so please Father, help us to remain righteous in all we say, so that we will do no harm to anything you have called good. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and every Word you speak. Praised be your name for the truth in your Holy Word. Merciful are you and the promise of forgiveness, and redemption, we have received. Grace is a Word, your Word, that Carries within it the power of salvation, and the promise of eternity with you. Wash us clean in the blood of your Son Jesus, whose name and blood carry love within them, and have saved the world. Judge us as righteous in Him, and seat us at your table forevermore… kept righteous, and holy in all we say, and do.
Rich Forbes