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James 1:26 – Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (NIV 2011)
Colossians 4:6 – Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. (MSG)
One Sunday last month, I decided to watch a televised church service that I tune in to occasionally. I enjoy this particular pastor's sermons because they always deal with the challenges of everyday living. What made me listen that particular Sunday was her opening question, "Is your tongue saved?"
In all honesty, I had to say to myself, "No." Reining in my tongue seems to have been a lifelong struggle. I remember my father saying the same thing to me each time I spoke out of turn as a child, and to this day, I hear it in my mind when I find myself saying something that I wish I hadn't. He would just ask me, "Why are you always talking when you should be listening?"
As a teenager, I remember hearing the slang term my peers used when someone would say something inappropriate: "Open mouth. Insert foot." As an adult, I have often read the paraphrase of an old adage, "Remember to keep your words soft and sweet, because someday you may have to eat them!" Shouldn't I have gotten the message by now?
"The battle of the tongue is won not in the mouth, but in the heart." – Annie Chapman.
As I write this devotional, I am wondering how you, the reader of this Daily devotional, would answer the question, "Is your tongue saved?"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we try, oh, how we try to curb our tongues, but we seem unable to control what we say, when and where we say it. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we ask You to help us to remember what James taught us, and please, Lord, help us to rein in our tongues so that our religion will not be worthless. Amen.
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Great challenge Judith. Thanks for sharing.
Your message is so true! You did a great job.
Judith, thanks so much for this reminder of the need to tame my tongue. Even though I’m in my 60s I still struggle with keeping my mouth shut and my ears open. Lord, have mercy.
Honestly, Judith, I know of no one who reigns his/her tongue as often as should be done… although our pastor comes VERY close. Thank you for this devotional.
(TX)
Thank you Judith. Yes, the line I learned in my teens was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. Can’t say I’ve adhered to that faithfully all my life. You’re right, our tongues do veer off course sometimes. Thanks for the reminder.
Dear Judith, thank you for this reminder about the “quality” of our speech. I often need to remind myself that God gave us 2 ears but only 1 tongue. So I need to listen twice as much as I speak!
(Ontario Canada)
Judith, can I ever relate to this devotional. In fact, I can make the very same confession. I also tend to run off at the mouth far too often, then instantly regret my words. Like the song said, “when will they ever learn.” Can’t remember who wrote that song but it applies to me. I do remember what Scripture says, Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. (my paraphrase) Thus my prayer is, Lord cleanse my heart, mind, and soul that my tongue will only speak words that You will approve. Thanks for sharing this devotional reminder. Blessings.
Judith, I could have written this Devotional it resonates so much with me.
However, I have always said I hate what comes out of my mouth when I am taken unaware, such as when I kick over the dog’s water dish. I actually embarrass myself and seem to spend a lot of time apologizing to God since He and the dog are usually the only ones around.
I continually turn over my slips to the Lord and ask Him to heal my tongue. It still isn’t 100{8395b6ce96fcf25a14d80edc3b65c36a8995b6c1ba5f8c16ac11d8adaa79f35b} but praise God, it is improving. I think that is the only secret no matter the areas of weakness we all have.
Dear Judith,
Thank you for a very practical and much needed devotional.
May the God of all grace be your guide. Amen.