OOPS! DID I SAY THAT?(OR GIVE ME SOME DUCT TAPE!)

 How many of us have been guilty of opening our mouth before thinking what we are really saying?  Or another scenario in today's email world of forwarding jokes and news is forwarding something 'newsworthy' before checking out the source? Ouch, now that is so embarrassing to be told you had just started a rumor in cyber space.

My blogging journey has had much to say about the tongue as it just seemed to have its' own mind sometimes. That little member of our body can really cause us much pain and sorrow if we do not think before we speak. It is written about much in the pages of scripture. I will highlight some today. Take time and read James Chapter 3 over and over til it gets into your memory as the entire thing is about the dangers of the 'tongue'.

The following are a few verses dealing with what we say:

Proverbs 21:23 tells us "whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble."

Ephesians 4:29 says " Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth, but only such that is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those that hear."

Proverbs 12:18 says "There is one whose day words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 15:1 says " A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Psalm 34:13 says " Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

James 1:26 says "If anyone thinks he is religious and ones not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."

Psalm 141:3 says "Set a guard oh Lord, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips."

Ecclesiastes 3:7 says "a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak."

Psalm 19:14 says " Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy site oh Lord my strength and my redeemer."

James 1:19 says "everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

So there you have it. Read these verses over and over. Let them seep down into your very soul. Take what they say seriously. In your day to day interactions at home on the phone with telemarketers or with family members, in the workplace, or in the marketplace let your speech be gracious and reflect Christ. Let what you say bring glory to the Lord. Let your mouth daily  sing praises to the Lord.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being able to speak and not being mute. Thank you Lord for the gift of vocal chords. What a nice creation is our voice and how wonderful it is to use our tongue to lift you up and not tear people down. Help me remember to do that. Convict me when I have hurt someone with my words and help me gain control over this area. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/iv68ruS6DVE