Conversation is a part of every day life. Your words are your advertisements. Every time you speak, you let other people
look into your mind and heart. What kind
of ads are you displaying?
Control Your Tongue
The tongue is one of the most difficult things in our lives
to control. All of our words have an
impact on our character, whether we realize this or not. Our words have the power to encourage or
strengthen. They also have the power to
wound, tear down and weaken. Be sure to
evaluate your words carefully before you speak them. Ask God to assist you with controlling your
words.
“Take control of what I say, O
Lord, and guard my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NLT)
Holding Your Tongue
There is a right time for speaking and a right time for
silence. Some words do not need to be
spoken at all. It isn't a good choice to
give life to every thought and feeling we have.
We have to learn when to close our mouths.
“Watch your tongue and keep your
mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23 NLT)
Gossip
Many a friendship has been ruined over a misunderstanding
that started with gossip. Gossip stirs
up trouble and causes anger, bitterness and pain. It can destroy people. Gossip serves to break the trust of those
people around you. Guard your tongues
and keep from gossip.
“11 Don’t speak evil against each
other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then
you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not
to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the
Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have
to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12 NLT)
“A gossip goes around telling
secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (Proverbs 11:13
NLT)
“Do not spread slanderous gossip
among your people. Do not stand idly by
when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:16 NLT)
Tongue on Fire
Our tongues have the ability to burn people. We are cautioned in Scripture that if we
‘burn’ others, we can be in danger of the judgment fire. Searing put downs can be damaging to
others. We should be careful of how we
speak to others, applying love and kindness in our speech.
“5 In the same way, the tongue is a
small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a
flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.
It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”
(James 3:5-6 NLT)
Control Your Thoughts
To tame our tongue, we must start by taming our
thoughts. It is even harder to control
our minds than it is our tongues. Our
thoughts direct our words. Our words
direct our actions. As Christians, we
must learn to tame our thoughts and keep them obedient to Christ.
“We destroy every proud obstacle
that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and
teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT)
We should think before we speak. Guard against engaging your tongue without
engaging your mind.
“Understand this, my dear brothers
and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get
angry.” (James 1:19 NLT)
Before you speak, ask yourself the following questions:
Is it True?
Is it Helpful?
It is Inspiring?
Is it Necessary?
It is Kind?
If what you are thinking about saying doesn't fit into this,
then don’t say it.
Apply God’s Wisdom in
Your Speech
If our mouths are to speak from our hearts, then our hearts
must have the right thoughts from which to speak. God’s Word provides this proper foundation
for us. Scripture is full of reference
to the tongue and words.
“A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT)
“Gentle words are a tree of life; a
deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4 NLT)
“Eloquent words are not fitting for
a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.” (Proverbs 17:7 NLT)
“Love prospers when a fault is
forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9 NLT)
“Starting a quarrel is like opening
a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14 NLT)
“The crooked heart will not
prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.” (Proverbs 17:20 NLT)
“Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.” (Proverbs 18:4 NLT)
“Fools’ words get them into
constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.” (Proverbs 18:6 NLT)
“The words of the godly are like
sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.” (Proverbs 10:20 NLT)
“Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 NLT)
“All day long you plot
destruction. Your tongue cuts like a
sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.” (Psalm 52:2 NLT)
“7 People can tame all kinds of
animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is
restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:7-8 NLT)
“They sharpen their tongues like
swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.” (Psalm 64:3 NLT)
“For their tongues shoot lies like
poisoned arrows. They speak friendly
words to their neighbors while scheming in their heart to kill them.” (Jeremiah
9:8 NLT)
“And I tell you this, you must give
an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” (Matthew 12:36 NLT)
“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” (Proverbs 15:23 NLT)
“You brood of snakes! How could
evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart
determines what you say.” (Matthew 12:34 NLT)
“I said to myself, “I will watch
what I do and not sin in what I say. I
will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” (Psalm 39:1 NLT)
“Let your conversation be gracious
and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” (Colossians
4:6 NLT)
No comments:
Post a Comment