Tongue: Friend or Foe?

Psalm 34:13 "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Ever said something to one or two people .. maybe even a room full of people, and wished you could take it back?

That happened to me recently, and I am still a bit haunted by it. I’m also a bit angry with myself, because I can be so impulsive sometimes – like most of you readers out there. Stuff will fly out of our mouths and instantly we get a check in our spirit, and you realize, “that was so wrong.” Yeah, something just like that happened to me.

Yes, I’ve repented many times since, but I'm having a hard time letting it go. But the incident has also taken me back to the scriptures about the tongue being an instrument of peace – or a weapon. And who do I want to reflect? Christ? Or not?

I couldn’t find the two scriptures I wanted. I don’t’ know if any of you have tried out www.biblegateway.com, but it is a wonderful resource to finding particular passages in the bible, or even word searches and commentaries, and you can look things up in just about any version of the bible, including other languages.

In my word search, I found out the bible has PLENTY to say about the tongue .. and it can be used for good, to heal, to proclaim the Good News, to rejoice. And it can be used for harm: tell lies, to slander, or for deceit.

We all mess up, and I know I've been forgiven of my mistake. But my consequence is that I am moved to ask forgiveness of those who were present when I cut loose - and to set the record straight about what I said, which was unkind in nature.

But the incident was certainly a wake up call for me. When I get lazy, when I passively seek God in the mornings, "Hey God, give me a good day." and am silent the remainder of the day, what kind of honor is that? When I don't read scripture to remain close to God .. it shows!!

So ... I'm hoping to correct my error, learn from it .. and move on.

There is something to be said about the tongue being the strongest muscle in the body. And it is connected to a brain superior to all animals on the earth.

Use it wisely!!! 8-)

Prayer request: For all of us to remember that we are a reflection of Christ. We are being watched and listened to by both believers and non-believers. What kind of message do you want to send to those around you?

Prayer: Lord, help us to learn from our mistakes, not only with our language, but in our actions and impressions we leave on others. Help us all to be better images of who YOU are. Help us to be better mirrors of You. Amen