The Tongue and Mouth

Prov. 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Such a simple statement, but how very true! Keeping control of the mouth and tongue is a very difficult task. James says that the tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. What power! Why can't a person control the tongue? James goes on further to say that many things in life can be tamed but not the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. There seems to be little to no self control in this area. Perhaps it is because it is set on fire by hell. It is the playground of Satan Himself. He relishes the fact that He accomplish so much just by a few words.

So is the believer doomed from the get-go? Now, thank God, God gives us the new nature when we become His chosen vessel. At this point we have access to the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Even though this new nature is in us, we are still in our bodies of flesh. Thus comes the conflict! As Paul said he had a war within in his own body. His mind wanted to delight in the law of God, but  his flesh was constantly trying to undo this delight. If Paul can't live like this, do I have a hope? In 2 Tim. 1:7 Paul said, For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Certainly,  we will be a constant battle, but we have the power of Christ within us teaching us and leading us. We must suffer as good soldiers of Christ praying daily for this small member of our body.

Father,

Put a watch over my mouth so that I might not sin against You. I know Your grace is my sufficiency in this area as it is for my entire life. I love you, Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen