Lord, Help Us Bite Our Tongue!

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

How many of us have walked in the shoes of thinking or even saying something about someone only to find out that those thoughts and words were so far from the truth that we felt ashamed that we ever even went down that road? You know the road I’m talking about, the road that leads you to open mouth, insert foot and then ever so quickly proceed to swallow! It is such a humiliating place to find ourselves standing in and yet some of us tend to end up there more often than we care to admit. I know that I am guilty of this one for sure! I think we have all been in this place to some degree or another. Scripture tells us that he who holds his tongue is wise. Sometimes I wish I could just hit the rewind button and start over again only when the scenario replays the second time I would hold my tongue! Yes, probably even physically take my pointer finger and thumb and pinch my tongue just to keep those dreaded words from rolling right out. Oh, how I wish I were wise enough sometimes to catch those undesirable words before they came spewing out only to make a mess that I will need a mop and a bucket to clean up! This is where I am so thankful for the word of God. Not only does it say that “he who holds his tongue is wise” but it also says what to do when we lack the wisdom in our moments just before our possible mishaps.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

All we have to do is ask! How simplistic our Father makes our escape route for us in those moments of temptations! We just have to stop and ask. Sounds so easy, right? The asking part is easy, it’s the remembering to ask part that is the doozy here! I thank the Lord that no matter how many times I open mouth, insert foot and swallow, He is always there to bring conviction to my heart in hopes that I will come one step closer to stopping and asking the next time my slippery words want to slide right out and do a world of damage. Our Heavenly Father is so patient with us. He is willing to work with us in each moment that we trip over our own tongues. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I should walk around with a post-it note on my head that reads “Did you ask God about this yet?” Wouldn’t it be nice to have such a reminder.  

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

We must realize that for as many times as we spew out unchecked words that we are NOT the only ones struggling with is same dilemma. We are not left to ourselves to tame our wild beast of a tongue. The Lord is faithful! He will provide a way for our tongues to maintain a level of God control (as opposed to self-control). Every time I try to take over my own tongue I fail. But when I allow the Lord to come in and take over my tongue I begin to realize that the words flowing from my tongue are no longer those of division or strife, but rather encouragement and blessing.

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26

The “God control” is not a religious thing. It is not a religious way of life full of rituals and rigorous routines and patterns, because the Lord knows I would fail that that just as much as I fail at holding my tongue. “God control” is a Holy Spirit thing. The Lord sent His Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into truth (John 16:13). In order for us to keep our tongues under control, we must be willing to allow the Lord to work in our hearts and our minds. If we consider ourselves to be a Christian yet do not work at keeping a close watch on the words that flow from our lips scripture says that our “religion” is worthless. Ouch! I surely do not want to be labeled as worthless all because I was reckless with my words and not guarding my tongue.

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“...For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew 12:34 b

One way to keep a close guard on the tongue is by making sure that what we have stored away in our hearts is Godly and trustworthy. Whatever it is we have locked away inside our hearts hoping that no one would find it, see it or hear about it, eventually, whether we want to or not, it is going to come out in one way shape or form and nine times out of ten, it comes out through the mouth. The other place it will show up is through our actions. You know that actions speak louder than words, so we only have to act on the sin stored up in our hearts one time for it to scar someone’s heart for a lifetime.

The tongue can be such an evil instrument, but when we are diligent about storing up the word of God in our hearts and we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us then we can ultimately do far less tripping over our own tongues and do far more blessing and encouraging. I think that’s the way God intended for it to be all along. I think God intended our tongues to be a blessing not a curse.

How about you? Have you ever regretted words that have flowed right off your tongue before you have gotten a chance to catch them? I challenge you to lay your tongue before the Lord and see just what he does with the power of your words. I will guarantee that if you allow Him to take control of your tongue, you will be amazed by the outcome! Feel free to share with us in the comments below about how God used your words as a blessing in someone's life. You never know, He just might use them to bless someone else once again.

For more on the power of our words please visit: "The Power Of The Tongue"

Lord, I thank you for this beautiful instrument of the tongue. Help us to line it up with your word so that in times of testing that we can bite our tongue and not say something we shouldn’t. Help us to go one step further and engrave your word on our hearts so that in those moments of testing that the words that come to our remembrance are your own and not ours. May we be careful to listen for the leading of your Holy Spirit to give us to right words to say, words that build up, encourage and strengthen others. In Jesus precious name.