What are you saying? What are you talking about regarding your circumstances, others, or yourself?
Our Father God talks about our lips, our tongues, and our mouths throughout His word. Therefore, how important do you think they are to Him? Very important! Similarly, how important are our words to Him? Also, very important! We can use our lips, our tongues, our mouths, and our words for good or evil, to build up or tear down, for blessing or cursing, to encourage or discourage, for God or the devil, and the list goes on. I am sure that you get the point.
Jesus' brother, James, talks about blessing and cursing people with the same mouth. (James 3:10-12) He says that nobody can tame the tongue. (3:8) He also talks about not stumbling in our words. (3:2) He compares our mouths to horses' mouths and ships. (3:3-4) Later, James compares the tongue to a fire. He says that it sets our course. (3:5-6) It is so true too. We create our world and our reality with our words.
We are made in God's image. (Genesis 1:26-27) God spoke the entire world and universe into existence with His words. In a similiar way, we can speak our own "little" worlds into existence. It is called "speaking our faith". Mark talks about speaking to the so-called mountains in our lives. (Mark 11:22-23) When we believe God our Father, we can call those things that do not exist yet into existence just like God did before the beginning of time. (Romans 4:16-18) With God's spirit, we have the same power and authority within us that raised Jesus from the dead. We can change our circumstances by changing our words.
King Solomon who was known for his wisdom wrote the book of Proverbs. Many times in that particular book Solomon talks about the lips, the tongue, and the mouth. "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21, NIV) Now, that is powerful! Life and death! Then, what you say is very important. You speak things into existence with your words whether good or evil. You create your reality by speaking your faith with your words whether right or wrong.
It is very important to watch your words. In addition, it is helpful to guard your mouth. It is not only important to choose your words wisely but to also not use a lot of words. "The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint..." (Proverbs 17:27a, NIV) Sometimes, it is best not to talk at all. Jesus is a great example. He often kept silent during times when He was being mocked and persecuted for His faith. (Matthew 27:27-44) Other times, we need to know how to talk to other people. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1, NIV) Then, there are times when we need to know what to say to others. "The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." (15:2, NIV) "The lips of the wise spread knowledge..." (15:7, NIV)
Matthew also talks about the mouth. What you speak out whether good or bad comes from the heart. (Matthew 12:34-35) He goes on to talk about idle words. Idle chatter is useless and pointless. It just takes up time and fills up space. Some people just talk only to talk. Sometimes, people only talk because they fear silence or cannot stand peace and quiet. However, God will judge us for every empty promise or meaningless word that is spoken out of our mouths. People will also judge us by the words which come out of our mouths while we are here in this world. (Matthew 12:36-37)
Therefore, guard your mouth...control your tongue...and close your lips. Choose your words wisely. Honor God with your mouth, your tongue, your lips, and your words. Ask Him to help you. He can do it. He will do it. Remember, you are an overcomer! (Romans 8:37) You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13)
Prayer: "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14, NIV)
Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
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