DO YOU HAVE A MOUTH PROBLEM?

There is a saying in the US Navy, 'loose lips sink ships.'  How many of us can not control our mouth? Oh we certainly try but it is so easy to slip up and say something you regret. Once a careless words 'out there' it can not be taken back. Words can destroy relationships. It is important to be aware of what the Bible says about speaking without considering who it will affect.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. It is so easy to mess up with our mouths. Try your best to think before you speak and keep out of trouble. Proverbs 10:14 says "Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster." Ouch, a babbling fool did you say? Geez. Proverbs 10:8 furthers says a 'chattering fool will come to ruin." I mean you can not just randomly keep talking and not have to suffer the consequences. In Proverbs 18:6-7 it says "The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives." In Proverbs 21:23 it says " Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity." I for one do not like calamity and will avoid it at all costs. Just got to keep the mouth from saying the wrong things.

Bad words are things like lying, gossip, slander,swearing, hate, rudeness, judgmental comments and the like. Be careful. Be a blessing and not a curse to those in your daily life. James 1:19 is a good verse to keep us all on track and would be good for new couples starting life together as man and wife and it says "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
Proverbs 13:3 says concerning the mouth "Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin." We just really need to be aware of what we are saying and how it is affecting those we say it to. Words can cause joy or the can cause hurt, confusion, misunderstanding and pain. In the end of life we are going to have to give account for every careless, idle word we have spoken. (See Matthew 12:36). Finally James 1:26 reminds us that no matter how much we say we love God and serve him it is pretty useless with a mouth that runs off constantly. It says "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." There you have it. Now go into the world and be a blessing to others with what you do and say.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of speech. The ability to talk is wonderful but help me have control over what I say and think before I speak. In Jesus Name, amen.