Sunday Meditations – That Powerful, Little Body Part
My heart has been impressed to study what God says about the tongue, slander, gossip, forgiveness and restoration. I’m so grieved that there is a lack of teaching and of calling sin – sin when it comes to this subject. This sin pervades the Church, the blogosphere and in my opinion, even worse, “Christian” bloggers. Ick.
Today, I want to shine the spotlight on several verses on the tongue. There are many, many verses in Scripture that tell us the capability of our tongues, what we should do with them and what we shouldn’t do with them.
Our tongues are powerful instruments. We can use them for good or we can use them as two-edged swords. Learning to watch our tongues is work and according to God we won’t ever completely tame it.
It doesn’t matter how I feel or what I think, I want to know what God says. We need to know what God says.
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Psalm 52:2
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: Proverbs 18:21
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5
There is much wisdom in keeping our tongues. God knows it all.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Proverbs 15:2
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psalm 139:4
I’m reminded of the children’s chorus, “Oh be careful little tongue what you say, For the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh be careful little tongue what you say.”
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26
This is my prayer today…
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
What are your thoughts on the power of the tongue?
Myra,
This is a wonderful post. I totally agree with you. This is one area that I am always careful with and have to regularly re-evaluate my status. Not because I’m spewing filth but because I want to make sure it doesn’t become filth. Thanks for this post.
.-= Jasmine´s last blog ..9 days and counting =-.
I, too, have been reading scripture involving the tongue, the power of what we say. So often we let our words flow freely, and not only do they inflict pain on others, but we can produce chaos and pain in our own lives by what we speak. Love this post, Myra. We’re on the same page this week 🙂
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..The stork came to our house…and no- they’re not mine =-.
What concerns me the most, is that with the amount of connection available through the internet, the “social” aspect of sites like Facebook and the immediacy of twitter, people don’t think before they speak, I mean type, and inflict just as much hurt as if they had spoken the words from their mouth.
Thank you for tackling the tongue- touchy subject for many of us!
.-= Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Monkey see…monkey do =-.
@Melissa Multitasking Mama, Thanks Melissa for your comment! I’m planning on touching on gossip in our media driven age next week. It’s so easy to type out something and not even think about it.
Hope you have a fabulous week!