February 02nd, 2019

         Taming Your Tongue (Proverbs 21:23)
 
Proverbs 21:23, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
 
Those who can control their tongue will protect themselves from many problems. Our mouth gets us into more trouble than any other part of our body. They who control their tongues will find life much easier. Generally, the more words you spit out, the more trouble you bring to yourself. Perhaps, that is why someone wrote about the wise, old owl. A wise old owl lived in an oak; The more he saw, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard; Why can't we all be like that bird?
 
Pride spews forth from the tongue. If you are tempted to mouth off, keep in mind that a drum makes a noise even though it is empty. A heavily booked commercial flight out of Denver, Colorado, was canceled and one single agent was rebooking a very long line of unhappy passengers. Suddenly, an angry passenger butted in line and pushed his way to the front, slapping his ticket on the counter. "I have to be on this flight and it has to be first class!" The ticket agent replied, "I'm sorry, sir, I'll be happy to help you, but I have to take care of these folks first. They have been waiting their turn in line." The cocky passenger was not thrilled with that answer and was not praising Jesus for sure. He very loudly said so all could hear, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?" Without hesitation the ticket agent smiled and picked up the lobby microphone and said, "May I have your attention please? We have a passenger here at the counter who does not know who he is. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the counter." As the man retreated from the counter, the crowd in the lobby broke out into spontaneous cheering and applause for the ticket agent. The passenger met his match and his proud mouth brought him shame and embarrassment. May we learn from his mistakes.
 
James said that one of the clearest measures of our growth and maturity as a believer is our ability to control our tongues. “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). Yet even though it is difficult to tame the tongue, it is critically important that we do so. Our words have great power. They can strengthen and encourage others—or tear them down. Guard your tongue and you guard yourself from unnecessary troubles. When people gripe and complain all the time, they do not gain God's blessings in their lives. Many times, their problems continue to stay with them. Someone put it this way, "Those who beef too much end up in the stew."
 
Our words have a great impact on our own lives as well. When we violate God’s law by gossiping or speaking falsely against others, we create pain and suffering and divisions in the body of Christ which is meant to be united. Do not allow your words to tear apart what God has brought together. Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
 
Prayer: Almighty God, help me to speak words today that will bring joy to others and minister rightly to their heart. I want to bring encouragement to those that need it. Give me Your eyes to see what You see and your words to encourage as You would. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
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