Can your tongue be tamed?
In Part 2 we saw from James Chapter 3 how powerful the tongue is, both for good and for evil. We looked at several pictures of our tongues; like a bit in a horse’s mouth, like a small rudder on a big ship, like a spark that sets a forest on fire, or a fire that corrupts our whole life, although a small body part it makes great boasts, the tongue is all but impossible to tame and is full of deadly poison, we bless the Lord with tongue and curse our fellow man….
If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how and when and where (William E Norris- journalist).
Today we consider how we go about trying to tame our tongues. Since it is impossible for man to tame the tongue, we must look to God for the strength to do this.
Matthew 12:33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
What your heart is full of, is what comes out of your mouth!
Put only that which is good into your heart.
Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Did you know that the Holy Spirit is continually pouring the love of God into your heart?
Let it flow into good deeds and words.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
As we develop the fruit of the spirit, particularly self-control, we are in a better place to tame our tongues.
Here are some practical suggestions to help you tame your tongue whilst waiting for the fruit of self-control to develop;
a) Count to ten before responding in high-risk conversations
b) Robert Murray M’Cheyne resolved that if he could not say anything good about someone, he would say nothing at all
c) Jonathan Edwards always tried to include something that would bless others when he spoke
d) Resolve to set a watch over your mouth.
e) Resolve to be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak (James 1:19).
May the Lord help us in this matter!
Amen
Closing Prayer
For full text and access to other parts of 'The power of your tongue' please click on the link below
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