All tagged tongue

As I prepare to move into the second half of the year reading a daily devotional each morning that was written by Pastor E.M. Bounds (The Power of Prayer), I would like to direct our contemplation today towards the Holy Spirit and the impact that he has on our prayers, and our prayer lives. Will you walk with me as we study some of the important aspects of praying that the Holy Spirit brings into our prayer closets with us? Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our paraclete, which means our helper, counselor, and comforter. Merriam-Wester’s dictionary defines paraclete simply as the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs tells us that words are sweetness to the soul, but for this to be true our words need to be gracious. Bitter or hurtful words have quite the opposite effect, and harm the spirit of both the person who utters them and the one to whom they are directed. We know that hurtful words generate hatred and anxiety, and we know that these two negative feelings not only harm our bodies and mental health, but our spiritual well-being as well. So how do we receive the words of others, and deliver, or respond to them with our own?

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?