Oops! What Just Came Out Of My Mouth?

This week, on four different occasions in the space of one 24-hour period, the Lord brought to my attention scriptures regarding the tongue. I was confronted with God’s thoughts regarding the words that come out of my mouth. We have all heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” How untrue that is. Words can hurt. Words can also heal. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

I consider myself to be an optimistic person for the most part, but at times I am guilty of allowing negativity to make its way into my speech. God’s desire is for us to speak words that are uplifting that they may bless the hearer. (Eph. 4:29)

It is easy to fall into the trap of complaining. And the more a person complains, the worse their attitude becomes. Your words affect how you feel, and they also affect those who have to listen to you. No one enjoys being around someone who complains all the time.

I have found that when I wake up in a “down” mood, if I will speak aloud the words taken from Psalm 118:24, This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it, I begin to feel better. It is uplifting to my spirit.

I have a choice about what comes out of my mouth. Just because a thought enters my mind, does not mean it has to be spoken. How many times have you said something, and the second the words were out of your mouth you wished you could take them back?

The story is told of a man who went through his village slandering the rabbi. One day he felt remorse and went to the rabbi asking for forgiveness and offering to do whatever was necessary to make amends. The rabbi instructed him to take a feather pillow, open it and scatter the feathers to the wind, and then return to him. The man did as he was told and then came back asking, “Am I now forgiven?” The rabbi answered, “Almost, but there is one thing left to do: Go and gather up all the feathers.” “Impossible,” the man said. “The feathers have already been scattered by the wind.” The rabbi answered, “Yes, even though we want to correct a wrong committed, it is as impossible to repair the damage done by spoken words as it is to gather the feathers thrown into the wind.”

Father, forgive me for speaking complaining and hurtful words. Help me instead to speak words of thankfulness and kindness. Set a watch O Lord, before my mouth.

Scriptures for Reflection

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (Proverbs 21:23)

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)

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10)

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)