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“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23
I’ve been reading in Proverbs this month and have been amazed anew at how many verses in this book of wisdom deal with our words.
We can use our tongues in a right way or a wrong way. After studying these verses, I thought of three characteristics of a good tongue.
- A wholesome tongue. Proverbs 15:4 says, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life…” We should make sure our tongue speaks in a way that is morally clean. Sometimes popular phrases or culturally-acceptable words tend to creep into our vocabulary almost without our noticing. Occasionally, they’re expressions that aren’t necessarily wholesome. Proverbs 10:32 says, “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable…” That’s exactly what we want to speak – words that are acceptable in God’s sight.
- A controlled tongue. This goes well with the verse at the beginning of the post. How much trouble could we avoid if we simply exercised self-control in what we say? (I’m preaching to the choir here! 🙂 Proverbs 13:3, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” One way to have a controlled tongue is to speak less in general. Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” If we talk too much, we’re bound to slip and say something we shouldn’t – be it gossip, unwholesome words, secrets that others have asked us to keep, etc. In addition, if we want to be thought wise, we should speak less. Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
- An encouraging tongue. Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” How often has someone said just the words you needed to hear to brighten your day! Proverbs 12:25, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” We can certainly strive to be one who gives that “good word” to another! Proverbs 15:23b, “…a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
This is certainly a challenge for me! May I find myself putting these verses into practice that my tongue might be used in a good way!
Great post, as usual, Tracey! 🙂 While we sitting at Aldi yesterday, my hubby and daughter went into shop, and our two sons stayed in the car with me (one was sleeping). Well, a comment was made that was less than edifying and since we had a Bible handy, I asked my son to read James 3 out loud. We had a little talk about our tongue and how they are fires and can set many fires! Love seeing this encouragement here today and am going to use this at our family devotion tonight. 🙂
I'm SO thrilled I can comment on your blog again!!!! If you ever have any readers that let you know they are having trouble commenting, suggest to them it may be an issue with what internet browser they are using. I had been using Chrome. Out of the blue, I decided to try Firefox ~ since switching ~ I have no trouble comment on blogs with this template! Happy Day!
Well, blessing to you and your family ~ hope to be back again to comment again soon. (Lord willing, of course!)
Blessings,
Katie
So good to hear from you in the comments again!! I know I need to be reminded of the power of the tongue on a daily basis. My favorite verse on this topic continues to be Proverbs 31:26 – "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Oh, to be like that virtuous woman!!
Blessings to you and your family as well!!
Such an excellent reminder. As Katie mentioned about James above, I was going to say something about the fact that your post put James 3 in mind. 🙂 Both the Proverbs and James really nail it when it comes to the way people use their mouths.
People are really in such a rush in life these days that they don't seem to have time to pause and think before speaking – much to our detriment. I know for myself that I could do with stopping to think more frequently before speaking… So thank you for the reminder.
What good advice! I need to work on controlling my tongue.
This is beyond wisdom. To keep my mouth shut. Absolutely. … Delighted to meet you.
I hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip my toes into some serious momma goodness.
Your words splash me with encouragement. I would be honored to have you splash some other mommas as well. This post (or another fave) would be such a blessing to share. Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.
I jot a few notes on Monday, but its a jump in whenever you can melody. We get the filled to the brim momma schedules.
Splashin'
Sarah
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-new-to-do.html
Delighted to meet you, too! Looking forward to splashing around at your place as well!
Very wise
How you crazy bless so many … thanks bunches for splashing around with us at momma notes. Lacing up for the race … hope you'll join us in cheering other moms on.
http://www.justsarahdawn.blogspot.com