Leashing the Tongue
Proverb 12:18-19 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
James 3:5, 6, 8 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell…. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Our tongues can be vicious little muscles spewing out ugly thoughts, opinions, remarks, curses, and so much more. Some people don’t say nasty hurtful things, and one recognizes those folks have kind and loving hearts.
But we have all heard nastiness uttered. Sometimes, we can remove ourselves from the presence of those folks, although we may have to tolerate hearing it for a few moments until we can speak, and hopefully, give a gentle, loving rebuke.
We are all free to think our thoughts and opinions, but it is unnecessary to use spew those thoughts and words. Many think they have free rein to give voice to nasty thoughts, gossip, cursing and more. Sometimes, there are such vile utterances.
Many have no idea how often this small muscle can cause so much damage and hurt. And yet, the tongue speaks from the heart often, so although the words pour out, it is from the heart that much of the nastiness lives. Gossip, angry words, cursing, negative thoughts and statements about whatever over time pull at others.
There is a need to leash our tongues from speaking in a negative manner…and better yet, to leash our thoughts and try to resist negative thoughts! Jesus did not speak in a negative or vile manner. He spoke with gentleness and love, and certainly had a large fan base following Him about.
It is my prayer, daily, that I do not speak hurtful, hateful comments, and I try to not have those thoughts. But I do at times still working on it. When I catch those negative thoughts I stop them, rebuke the devil for trying to poison my thoughts, words and actions.
Unless I can say kind things, not gossip, swear and so forth, I would rather be quiet altogether. Frequently, I am not. I will hear myself expressing something negative, and then try to hold my tongue and stop all flow of my words. I don’t want to utter unkind and uncharitable things, swearing, or gossiping, so once I’m aware, I try to stop that rush of words.
If one cannot say anything kind, say nothing. That was a phrase my mother used frequently. And in all truthfulness, I never heard my mother make unkind remarks or gossip about anyone. That was a wonderful example to have growing, and I remind myself of it often when I when negative things are uttered from me.
I want to be kind with my words in all manner, not just for ‘mybellaviews.’
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