Keep the Door of My Lips
As I studied in preparing to write this blog post, I was reminded, by the scriptures, how very important it is that our speaking lines up with the Word of God. The Bible has much to say concerning this subject.
We read in Genesis 1 that God spoke the creation of the world into existence and that He made man in His image. As those made in His image, the words we speak are meaningful.
The great 20th century evangelist Reinhard Bonnke was told by God, “My Word spoken in your mouth is as powerful as if I spoke it myself.” (Taken from the book: “Living A Life of Fire” by Reinhard Bonnke) We read in 1 Peter 4:10 and 11 (NASB20), “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Mark 11:23 (Amplified Bible), reads, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea” and does not doubt in his heart (in God’s unlimited power), but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him in accordance with God’s will.”
God puts His words in our mouths by His Holy Spirit when He chooses to speak through us according to Mark 13:4 (NLT), “But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells (to supply, furnish) you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”
The Lord called Jeremiah to speak to His people, as a prophet, and Jeremiah protested. The Lord responded to Jeremiah with these words found in Jeremiah 1:7b, “for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.” Then in verse 9, Jeremiah recorded, “The Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!”
Of all of God’s creation, man is the only one who was given the ability to speak, and in that, we are responsible to God for what we speak. In fact, it is important for us to realize there are consequences for what words we speak. Look at what Matthew 12: 37 (ESV) reveals, “for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." ‘Justified’ means to judge, declare, pronounce righteous and therefore acceptable. ‘Condemned’ means to give judgment against, pronounce guilty. The Word of God is quite clear.
Proverbs 13:3 (NIV), “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 18:21 reads, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
Psalm 34:13, “Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies (deceit)!”
Psalm 120:2 (NKJV), “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.”
1 Peter 3:10, “For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.”
We are taught in the book of James just how unruly our tongue can be. James 3:2-10, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”
We have to be careful that we do not let our emotions determine what we say. Our words can never be taken back, once they are spoken.
I have slightly revised a Folktale to illustrate this point perfectly, and would like to share it at this time:
‘Once upon a time, there was a man, who in his anger, went about spreading lies about his pastor. He started to feel bad about it and asked for forgiveness. He even said he would do anything to make amends for the damage he had caused. The pastor told him to cut open a feather pillow and allow the feathers to be scattered in the winds. And, so he did. The small plumes blew far and wide, under bridges and trees, and across water and rooftops. Then, the pastor told him to go and gather up all the feathers. But really, how could he? Like his careless words, it was impossible to recollect them all.’
The damage had already been done. Just as the man could not find all of the feathers, the lies had been spread by others and couldn’t be taken back.
Ephesians 4:22-24, “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy.” Putting on the new man (or nature) includes changing the way we speak, either to people or about people..
We need to be aware that each of us will, one day, give an account to God for the words we speak. Matthew 12:36 (ESV), “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”
It is important that we program our hearts and minds so that what comes out is planted by God.
Proverbs 4:20-24, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.”
Psalm 37:30 (NKJV), “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.”
James 1:26, “If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”
May these words in the following scriptures become our request of God. Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” And, Psalm 141:3, “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.”
Speak carefully. Realize our words have the power to wound, bring division, and strife. Use words rather, to bless, encourage, and bring life. When we are God’s ambassadors and His witnesses to the world, we need to spread love and encouragement, not hatred, contention, nor discouragement.
Continue growing in His love and in the knowledge of His Word!
Unless indicated otherwise, all Scriptures are NLT New Living Translation
NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020
ESV English Standard Version
NIV New International Version
NKJV New King James Version