Bridling the tongue.
Spreading Truth in Love by Bobby Thompson
I would like to start out by reading some quotes.
- It is better to bite your tongue than eat your words. – Frank Sonnenburg
- The tongue is like a sharp knife that kills without drawing blood – Buddha
- You can change your world by changing your words remember death and life are in the power of the tongue. Joel Osteen
(Jas 1:26) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (Jas 3:2) For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (Jas 3:6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 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.
The sins of the tongue are the most prevalent sins among men today. Many have stumbled because of the misuse of the tongue. Some of the sounds of the tongue are.
Murmuring and complaining (Num 11:1) And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. (Num 16:41) But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the LORD.” (Num 17:5,10) And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.”
(Num 17:10) And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.”
These are our examples, and this warning is given to us by Paul (1Co 10:10) nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
Sometimes we complain because we think that we don’t have enough or that other people are doing so well without God. We should simply seek God first and have full assurance that he will take care of us. (Mat 6:33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. We must learn to be contented with what we have and not be envious of what others have. (Php 2:14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing,. If we do nothing but grumble and complain what will others think about being a Christian?
Profanity and filthy talk. We should not use the Lord’s name in vain.
(Psa 111:9) He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (Jas 3:10) From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. In today’s world we can easily offend other people by just using acronyms I will not repeat any of those acronyms but there are many of them out there and we should refrain from using them. (Eph 4:29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Why should we seek to tear down people when we can build them up with the word of God?
Angry Words we sing the hymn Angry Words are lightly spoken bitterest thoughts or rashly stirred, brightest links of life are broken by a single angry word. Solomon tells us (Pro 15:1) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Eph 4:26) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (Pro 29:11) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Harsh and Unkind Words Some people revel in the fact that they can speak ill of other people saying they are being frank and truthful. But in the end the words that they are speaking alienates other people and makes them feel small.
(Eph 4:31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
(Eph 4:32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Also (Pro 25:11) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. These are the words we should remember. We should consider who we are talking to and what is the best thing that we could tell that person.
Gossiping The gossiper is an idle tattler, whisperer, and a busy body. Sometimes they tell you everything they have heard and then they make up the rest.
(Pro 26:20) For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. (Pro 16:28) A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Gossiping can spread bad words around much like wildfires in California. Everyone is affected by this gossip in the same way as everyone is affected by a wildfire.
(Lev 19:16) You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. Paul condemned certain women for being tattlers and busybodies. (1Ti 5:13) Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. This not only applies to women but also to all of us. Be sure when you open your mouth the good things will be coming out. These are things we should put into our lives so that we will be better and live better and build people up in love rather than tearing them down.
