Controlling our Mouths

Americans spend 1/5th of their lives talking. If all of our conversations for only one year were printed, they would fill 66 books with 800 pages each! Is it any wonder that, with so much being said, we need to control our mouths? James 3:2 tells us that the tongue is a great indicator of our health and maturity: “If any man is never at fault in what he says, he is a mature man.”

In the next several days, we will look at our tongues – a great indicator of spiritual and emotional health. We will discover what God teaches us about 1) Why we must watch what we say, and 2) How to control our tongue.

Words are extremely powerful. God spoke a word and the entire world came into existence. Our words are also very powerful. Just a word has the power either to inspire, encourage, bless and build someone or to discourage, hurt, and destroy someone.

Proverbs 10:19 “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow.” Proverbs 21:23 says, “If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.” Proverbs 15:1, 4 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Jesus, commenting on the tongue said, “And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36, 37.

Jesus warns us about the importance of our words. Why must I watch what I say and how I say it to my fellow workers, children, spouse, friends, people on the train or on the street or in church? Tune in tomorrow and we will see what James has to tell us about the power of our tongues and how to harness it.

Always desiring to grow toward being like Jesus ~ Bob