Tuesday, December 17, 2013

You and Your Tongue

James so elegantly, so simply, tells of the power of the tongue.  Its power to destroy is probably easily known in all of our lives!  See James 3:1-12...

But the Bible has much more to say on this subject!  Solomon apparently had learned or observed many important lessons associated with opening your mouth.  So, grab your Bible, open it up to the book of Proverbs and think on what you have been told about the tongue of yours:

Consider not saying anything at all!
Proverbs 10:19, 10:21, 16:28, 17:9, 17:27-28

You do not need to say everything you know!
You do not have to say everything you think!
You do not have to repeat everything you hear!

Though with caution, as requesting prayer from those  you trust is very important to your life and walk!

Consider whether or not you actually know all of the facts!
Proverbs 14:3, 17:27, 18:13

Even if you are talking with an original source you have to stop and ask yourself if there is an agenda being run.  And as these last two years have shown me - a liar is going to lie, even when confronted!  You have to be careful in your sources.  The ability to use discernment can be very powerful in cutting through the personalities, agendas and emotions to find out what really is going on.

Consider the best way to say what needs to be said.
Proverbs 10:19, 12:25, 13:3, 15:1, 15:4, 15:23, 16:24, 18:21

There are lots of ways of saying the same things, without baiting the listener, without provoking a defensive or offensive reaction and without using weasel words!

Hence, the need to engage brain - before engaging mouth!

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