Loose Lips Sink Ships!
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Have you ever wished there were a guard over your mouth? I mean – have you ever said words you wished you could catch and swallow – like in the cartoons? In the cartoons – the bad or ill thought words didn’t taste very good. They probably didn’t sound very good either? I know I have said some things I wish I could take back!
Jesus’ brother says it this way: James 1:26 – If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 3:3-12 – 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
I know – at times – I say things I shouldn’t! Maybe I’m quick with my wife – or say a “funny” retort to a friend I shouldn’t. Maybe I say the first thing that comes to my carnal mind rather than sifting it through the filters God has given me. Anyone out there feeling the connection?
Today – I simply lift this prayer: Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Join me in lifting that prayer if it fits!
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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June 7, 2012 -
Posted by raymcdonald |
Daily Devotion, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith Journey, From the Pastor, Prayer | James 1:26, James 3:3-12, Psalm 141:3
What a timely message, THANK YOU for the reminder. As I have faced some personal relationship issues it has become painfully aware to me that words really hurt and that we tend to hold on to them and allow them to become like poison to our hearts and minds.
As humans we all fall short. My prayer of late has been for God to open my mind to think like He does and to not allow my mouth to speak unless it is with a kind and encouraging word. This is much harder than you can image because my human side wants to lash out.
Going forward I will be repeating your prayer – Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
I just love how timely the Word of God is for someone each day – thanks Pam!