CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR TONGUE?
It is Saturday morning here in Australia, although it is still winter I am looking out my study window and see a cloudless sky, and the promise of a lovely day. In this blog i want to write about THE TONGUE AND ITS USE IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER.
The bible has quite a lot to say about the USE and MISUSE of the tongue. I will highlight three unfortunate negative uses, and four positive uses by Christians.
SWEARING. We are living in a generation (at least here in Australia where virtually the whole population automatically adds expletives to their conversation). I am reminded of a Preacher friend, that on the very day he was born again, he knew that swearing was not acceptable as a Christian. This had naturally been part of his lifestyle, and he happily publicly said it immediately ceased and was no longer part of his lifestyle. Oh that every new Believer would experience this conviction born of the holy Spirit and would make a decision of their will not to swear. Sadly, many people don’t even realise they are swearing as the words have always been part of their world. I concede that words also change their meaning, and many words from my childhood that were considered swear words are now used in a different context and has basically become acceptable. I guess again, this is where Biblical Discipleship is essential and the new believer is encouraged to change his language, Col. 3:8 NKJV tells us But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, FILTHY LANGUAGE out of your mouth. This verse clearly informs us what God requires, and thus there will not be any misunderstanding or misinterpretation when we speak.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT WORDS. I read a brief article recently that said that not only must we not swear, but we should not use words like LUCK, FATE OR KARMA. For example. Karma and fate particularly have their roots in Eastern non Christian religions like Buddhism and Hinduism. When we become a Christion and begin to realise how BIG our God is, and SOVEREIGN in all his actions and activities, we begin to realise (Rom. 8:28 NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. There is no such thing as luck in the Christian life, our God is in total control.
NOT SPEAKING AGAINST GOD’S ANOINTED LEADERS. We read in Psalm 105:15 NKJV Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.
I am not suggesting our Leaders are perfect and may need to be corrected and adjusted from time to time ( by other recognised and respected Leaders), but I hurt every time I read in social media one ministry criticising another because of (so called) false teaching, as if one person has the complete handle on truth, I think we may be all be surprised when we get to heaven and find out what is complete tuth, these people even sometimes say the person is an “agent of the devil” that is so so sad.
There can be many situations in church life that we are not happy about (I am personally struggling with some issues at this time), but I am praying for my Leader and the Leadership Team, that the will of God will be done, and the church will not be hurt and suffer because of any decisions made. I also need to ask the Lord to help me keep my attitude and spirit sweet during this matter.
Let me remind you of Solomon”s words in Prov 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eats its fruit. James 3: 2-12 NKJV For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
James tells us everyone of us, need to constantly work on this area in our lives, we need to pray David’s prayer in Psalm 141:3 NKJV Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips AMEN
Now let me highlight some POSITIVE WAYS TO USE OUR TONGUE
PRAISE & WORSHIP, Let the fruit of our lips be constantly that of Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship, let us regularly sit and “count our blessings”, This MUST BECOME OUR LIFESTYLE. Eph. 5:18 Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
DEVELOP AN ENCOURAGING MINISTRY. Heb. 3:13 NKJV But exhort ENCOURAGE one another DAILY
SPEAKING THE JESUS WAY, If you must speak to someone about a matter then Ephesians 4:15 NKJV But, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
USE YOUR PRAYER LANGUAGE, take EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY, PRAISE,WORSHIP IN TONGUES, as well as in the vernacular.
Not everyone will appreciate this blog, and I am very happy to receive your comments and response. Have a blessed unforgettable weekend in Father’s House.
