Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Loose lips sink ships was a slogan during the second world war. This expression simply said, “Unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy.” Well, Saints, this idea has not changed to this day. We have to watch what we say about others and ourselves. I know there are whole TV commercial industries dedicated to the embellished voyeurism and so-called tattletale reporting of people’s indiscretions, but that does not make it right. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and setts on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
How many times have you said something that you wish you could take back, but it is never coming back. Those words are out there forever, pulsing along as amplified sound waves of your thoughts that came out too harshly, accusingly, or in unguarded anger. We can often spot this fault in others when they say something that should have been edited before it came out of their mouths, but unfortunately, we don’t hear it so clearly when we speak without thought. Sng. 1:6b They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
How many times have you said something that you wish you could take back, but it is never coming back. Those words are out there forever, pulsing along as amplified sound waves of your thoughts that came out too harshly, accusingly, or in unguarded anger. We can often spot this fault in others when they say something that should have been edited before it came out of their mouths, but unfortunately, we don’t hear it so clearly when we speak without thought. Sng. 1:6b They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
I was listening to a minister that I greatly respect and I learn easily from his gifted ability to teach. A few Sundays ago he said something that he should not have. I know he thought what he said was funny, but it was derogatory and just not nice. I could tell as he was telling the joke he did not feel that comfortable with what he was saying, yet, he said it anyway. I noticed that there was conviction in his heart about it because he was stumbling and struggling for words for the next few sentences in order to get his momentum back, but it was faltering.
The discomfort of the audience could be felt and it was too late to take back the words said. I think the Holy Spirit dealt with him right there and then because we could sense conviction taking place in his heart. Sometimes it is the little things said that are corrosive and gives the enemy substance to accuse us with. Sng. 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Yes, the little foxes spoil and ruin things.
The discomfort of the audience could be felt and it was too late to take back the words said. I think the Holy Spirit dealt with him right there and then because we could sense conviction taking place in his heart. Sometimes it is the little things said that are corrosive and gives the enemy substance to accuse us with. Sng. 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Yes, the little foxes spoil and ruin things.
Psalm 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. Reading this scripture helps me see that King David is struggling with a decision of thought. He seems to be saying “Should I say this or not?” King David is wrestling with what he perceives as God’s unwillingness to enforce judgment on the unbeliever. He wants to voice his thoughts but realizes that if he does vocalize what he is thinking then the words would offend God’s children.
There might be irreparable damage that will take place if the words come out. However, thank God in the next few verses he gets the illumination on the truth of the matter. Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. There is a right time and way to say what has to be said. We just have to control the unholy rhetoric that so easily comes out of our mouths. Prov. 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
There might be irreparable damage that will take place if the words come out. However, thank God in the next few verses he gets the illumination on the truth of the matter. Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. There is a right time and way to say what has to be said. We just have to control the unholy rhetoric that so easily comes out of our mouths. Prov. 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
A graceful tongue is what we, as Christians, are trying to accomplish. We hopefully speak words to our friends and neighbours that build up and help fulfill the love and blessing of the Lord in their lives. I am not advocating that false platitudes and phony compliments be thrown around with an obsequious and smarmy attitude. I am talking about a genuine heartfelt leading of the Holy Spirit that expresses exactly what a person needs to hear to be lifted out of their funk or a word that nourishes their soul onto higher ground where they meet the Lord.
We can do this because the Lord of glory lives within us, but we have to give the use of our tongue to the will of God to speak blessing upon blessing in this world in need of an overwhelming amount of healing. Unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy. Guard our talk so that we can destroy the works of the enemy and be a blessing to the Kingdom of God. Matt. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Amen!
We can do this because the Lord of glory lives within us, but we have to give the use of our tongue to the will of God to speak blessing upon blessing in this world in need of an overwhelming amount of healing. Unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy. Guard our talk so that we can destroy the works of the enemy and be a blessing to the Kingdom of God. Matt. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Amen!
Again another timely word! Thanks Norm.