The right use of the tongue

20-August 2011 

The smallest organ of our body has a great potential and can be instantly used for good. We can do excellent things with our mouth and tongue. We can be truthful, comfort the sad, encourage others, teach others and compliment others etc. Above all we can we can praise God, thank him, adore him, pray, plead  and  intercede  etc, in that case tongue can be a gentle tongue, truthful lips, the healing tongue , praising lips. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” Mathew 12:34 

Let us see what the Bible says about the potential use of your tongue .

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.”Proverbs 25:11

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,…” Proverbs 10:11

 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, ”Proverbs 20:21

“The lips of the righteous nourish many, A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, 
   but the lips of the wise protect them.” Proverbs 14:3

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21.

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life… Proverbs 15:4

“LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; Psalm 15:1-2

Our speech and words  must show our attitude and concerns for others.

Get a right heart. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Mathew 12:34

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” Proverbs 17:27

Be vigilant. “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds.”Paslm 141:3

Pray.  “Whenever we are about to open our mouths to speak, we might offer the prayer ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”Psalm 19:14

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

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

In summation, remember that your tongue is a two–edged weapon —what you say, when you say how it sounds etc are very important to you , to others  and to God. Strive to keep your words and speech soft and gentle,  while reaching out to others, rather than being razor-sharp and bitter.Strive not to gossip, flatter, lie or misuse the tongue in any other way. Instead, use it to help others and build friendships and relationships. …“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech”.1 Peter 3:10 

 If you want a good life, control what you say!

What you say is very important in the sight of God—

Finally, read this verse :“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21.

 Almighty Father has warned us “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…”Deuteronomy 30:19

 Choice is your - think and choose what you want.. 

 It is very Simple.

 But need great inner  strength .

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows..Psalm 23:1-6

 PRAISE THE LORD.

Layers of mountains uphill view@ Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu

 

What is the final result—of an evil tongue?

19-August 2011 

Due to immaturity, and reacting expressively in haste,  we usually utter instantaneously ,what comes to mind, without even thinking. The concept -“Think before you speak” is non-existent to -day.

Are you able to stop and think before you speak?

Have you tamed your tongue? Beware of your words.

Bible points out “there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” Ecclesiastes 3:7

What is the final result—of an evil tongue? 

 

“May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue those who say,  By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:3-8

“The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare (trap) to their very lives.” Proverbs 18:7

The wrong use of tongue is a serious sin against God! God’s words are purified seven times, and He wants us to follow His example! Finally, those who are not able to control their mouths will experience the inevitable outcome ie DESTRUCTION.

How can you prevent the misuse  of the tongue? You have to meditate the powerful words of GOD .”Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Proverbs 4:24

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13

 “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”  Psalm 39:1 
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

We have learned to get rid of wrong use of our tongue. Do not involve your tongue in the wrong way, such as gossiping, lying, flattery and cursing etc.

Guard your mouth and “keep [it] with a bridle.”

Take time to examine your daily schedule.

Is there any slip? Have said something hastily?

Improve  your personality  by taming your tongue and build on each day.

 What we say is important for our own well-being, for others and,specially , to God.When we try to overcome an issues  which involves the mind, to succeed, we must remove the wrong thoughts.

All feature of speaking and the tongue is not evil. Positively, our words can be used to assist others. Before you speak, submit yourself to know God’s guidance, and Our actions must show that we are living God’s way of life.

Dam view uphill road Kodaikanal TamilNadu

 Actions speak louder than voice!

Unwholesome/ Unpleasant tongue

Unwholesome/ Unpleasant tongue-18 August 2011

Some people seem to enjoy being miserable with their bad mouth full of an unpleasant speech, foolish talks, light and soapy language, angry talks, proud, and arrogant expressions, lies, false swearing  etc- all are  filthy, poisonous and  is sinful. Almost all the twisting role of the tongue falls in this category. Bible states “Do not let any unwholesome (corrupt) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouth .Corrupt communications may be two types: of expressing sin and expressing deceit.

Expressing sin is speaking hatred, lust, gossip, blasphemy, slander, false judgment, and the like.

Expressing deceit is using our words to build verbal walls behind which we hide the truth.  All insincerity is deceit.

Corrupt communication springs from a corrupt heart which is driven with corrupt motives that tends to corrupt others. The corrupt heart must always think tactically before speaking out,because it has to maintain its motives from being exposed through his personality.  “Bad company corrupts good character.”1 Corinthians 15:33.

God hates this sort of an unpleasant speaking. Our conversations pushes us away from  the Presence of God, and disqualify us from receiveing  His blessings!  But God is merciful and always listening to us. A Christian should be pure in his conversation. Speech is an invaluable gift.

speak "always" good to others. Give some useful information . Impart some comfort which they need. Extract some truth through a friendly discussion

 “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Mathew 12:34,  “Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious,.”Ecclesiastes 10:12.  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."Romans 14:19  

"The passage of an impure thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it;" 

Hill view@Kodaikanal Tamil NADU

“THINK” before you speak.
T--Is it true?
H--Is it helpful?
I--Is it inspiring?
N--Is it necessary?
K--Is it kind?

The Piercing Tongue

7 August 2011

Piercing means: penetrating: cutting through, piercing remarks.

Today, people are victims of the piercing talks around them and it demands special mind-set, coupled with patience, tolerance, goodwill, calm attitude etc. to face the situation. However the mind is concerned   it has its own painful experiences, rejections, or emotional hurts that refuses healing. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.”Proverbs12:18
 

Another sinful tongue is the piercing tongue. Some people have a sharp piercing tongue which Satan uses to offend and insult others. We live in a society absorbed with its own feelings.”They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear”. Psalm 64:3-4

Sharp and piercing tongue will inflict its intended wounds. Envious and resentful words are bitter and are pointed and sharp, but their target is obvious. On the surface, they may even sound scrupulous but in reality, they manipulate their thoughts to overthrow others.

“See what they spew from their mouths the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?” Psalm 59:7

Are you using your words to assist to build others  or used  to burn others? If we build our position by burning another person, we are standing on a platform of ashes that will crumble and topple us anytime. Beware  if you point others with one finger, you have forgotten that rest of the  fingers pointed towards you. “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”

The Bible commands Christians to talk  with Graceful words,“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 .No need to train yourself for personality development. BUT READ YOUR Bible and learn how to move. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

We live in a society absorbed with its own feelings, mostly relying on the materialistic and for a selfish hunt. People who use their tongue causly like a sword to pierce their friends or close relatives. ‘I am in the midst of lions;I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows,whose tongues are sharp swords. Psalm 57:4

 Today, people are afflicted to their own painful experiences, rejections, mistakes or emotional hurts is one that refuses healing. Bible teaches  and commands us to be wise. “…encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us”.Titus 2:8

Use graceful and more refined language which cannot  or should not  be evil or else do you possess a piercing tongue? It is very hard to find such hurts outwardly but  we read about the piercing tongue in the Bible as“His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.” Psalm57:4

Every Christian's prayer should be, "Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for I may not be a trap to others. ”Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet”. Psalm 140:3-4.So learn to “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let  the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:21-22

Always keep in mind-- “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

So the piercing evil tongue and its impact has no effect on a child of God ‘cause they carry with them the “WORD OF GOD"

 Be bold and stand firm so that you may not be tossed by evil planners.“And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me. And He said to me,You are My servant, ……. In whom I will be glorified.’ Isaiah 49:4

A beautiful view-@ Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu

           A mind that feels Pain,

        speaks Pain.....

The Cursing/Profane Tongue

16 August 2011

Use of profane language: Profanity is “any sort of habitually foul language.” Blasphemy, cursing, and swearing etc.

Profanities expresses in and often linked to emotions of irritation, frustration, anger, rude behavior, condemnation, etc it burst out from the lips to find expression for pent-up emotions. Some people, (Christians included), have a nasty habit of using their tongue for profanities like cursing. Romans 3:13-14 says, “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Do you want to identify yourself with someone whom God describes as being DEAD, DECEITFUL, and POISON?

"As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones."(Psalm 109:17-18)

Many people curse because their life is miserable. They are depressed and unhappy, so they make it known with their degenerate speech. God  also will keep them unhappy BECAUSE of their speech!

 “If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness”. Proverbs 20:20

Cursing is certainly a sin according to the Scriptures, The  apostle Paul tells us to” Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace …Ephesians 4:29.We are again warned by Paul to “you …put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”Colossians 3:8. “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing….this should not be.”James 3:10. We must be constantly on guard to Zip-up our mouth, and to  protect our heart and thought,  so that we will not sin.

 Generally  the people  who are habituated with cursing tendency, are often characterized by any one or more of the following traits, such as affliction, frustration, hardship, pain, grief, gloom, fear, irregularity, , barrier, hitch, confusion, chaos, and so on – The effects of a curse can anything unpleasant. “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow ,an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” Proverbs 26:2. 

They’re not just words. Jesus said: “Your words show what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45). The tongue is but a tool of the mind and heart. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”An profane tongue is similar to a hypocritical.( two-faced) tongue.People who swear often tend to be disagreeable, critical, sarcastic, angry, quarrelsome, and unhappy complainers.

Find alternate ways of expressing yourself. It is not just a matter of biting your tongue.

Conquering the habit ‘bad-language’ involves putting on “the new personality.”  as stated in  (Ephesians 4:22-24) “....you put off, concerning your former conduct, …you put on the new man …..in true righteousness and holiness.”This will help you to gain greater self-control and self-respect.

steep dense mountain view @ Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu

 “Whoever would love life and see good days  must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10