1 Peter 3:10
For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.”
How powerful is the tongue!
Many believe that James is speaking of the mind when he describes the
tongue and that the tongue is the organ most closely linked to our mind that
out of the mind will flow words from the tongue. A great and stately ship can be steered by a
rudder, a magnificently strong stallion can be steered with a bit, and these
can be likened to our tongue. Humans
have managed to train all sorts of animals but have failed to ever be able to
control one of the tiniest members of their body, the tongue. You can probably
think of some time within your life when someone’s thoughtless comment cut to
your bones and inflicted tremendous hurt. Maybe you can recall a time when a
bit of gossip made it back to you and ripped through your emotions sending you
to your knees that may or may not have been true. When you listen to someone’s words you get an
indication of the state of their heart and mind. The same tongue that you used to praise and
thank God for your many blessings, you may have used to curse your brother or
to spread gossip in the very next minute or hour of conversation. Gossip is
very hurtful and very damaging. God is very clear in how He feels about gossip,
strife stirring, tail bearing. For instance, Proverbs 6:16-19 clearly tells us
that there are six things that God hates, seven that are detestable: haughty
eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises
wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who
pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissention among brothers. Though a very tiny member in your body, the
tongue is the most difficult to tame, and it can do immeasurable damage both in
your own life and in the lives of others.
You cannot tame the tongue on your own.
You must have our Lord’s help in doing this. What we allow into our mind
and heart has such an affect on what comes out of our mouth. If we dwell on worldly negativism, then we
are going to be more apt to participate in it.
We must strive to fill our hearts and minds with only positive
thoughts. We must flee from gossip and
worldly filth. It should be our constant
prayer that our Lord would help us to only speak positive words of edification
for His kingdom. We should constantly
ask our Lord to keep a watch upon our thoughts and tongue and keep us from
speaking any words that would be hurtful or damaging to our witness. James
3:5-6 tells us, “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. 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.” Boy, when we are
angry, tired, hungry, irritable, and let our tongues “wag” out of check with
the Holy Spirit, even though we have hearts for God and are truly committed to
allowing Him to use our every member for His service, can we forever do
damage! Verse 8 in James chapter 3 says
that “no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly
poison.” Alone, we have no hope but when
we turn to our Lord daily and ask for His help, we can better control what our
mind dwells on and what comes from our mouths. 1 Peter 3:10 is clear in that if
we wish to love life and see many happy days we must keep a watch over our tongue
and refrain from speaking evil.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your many blessings. Thank You, Lord, for putting a watch over my
tongue and for strongly convicting me before I speak words that I should not.
Lord, thank You for helping me to not listen to gossip and certainly to not
repeat it. Lord, help me to only allow
positive words that would be edifying to Your kingdom to be spoken from my
mouth. All things I ask in Jesus most
precious holy name. Amen.
Written by Donna Shea
Written by Donna Shea