THE TONGUE

Dear Brothers and Sisters, this writing is all about the tongue; that pesky little member of our anatomy that often causes BIG problems. The tongue (or, the mouth) is capable of hurting feelings, creates heartaches, broken homes, wounds the Spirit, estranges friends and families, recycles junk, perpetuates hate, etc.

I believe a lot of the conflict in the world is caused by a wide mouth and a narrow mind. We seldom get in trouble by listening, and most of us can learn a lot more by listening. I am thinking thats the reason we were created with two ears and only one mouth; so that we can listen twice as much as we talk, makes sense to me.

Now of course we need to talk to folks and cheer someones day, encourage others and tell of Gods Grace and Love, forgiveness and always speak an encouraging word. But, OH GOD HELP US TO STOP the harmful, idle chatter, or gossip hasty words that so often wound those around us; and stop things exiting our mouth that are less than uplifting-----things unwisely uttered concerning the sheep of His field; one who may not have been rescued out of the ditch yet, perhaps??  Anyway, we network for the D-EVIL when we supposedly confide in sister TALKALOTTA and brother GOSIPPI about the sins or shortcomings of someone; knowing that these two will get the story going through that already overworked grapevine, via the most notorious tale bearers in town. Finally in Olympian leaps and bounds, the ugly rumors, accusations and pre-judgments get back to the intended target, whom most likely even before being hit with more condemnation felt such low self esteem that they could have crawled under the belly of a snake with a top hat on!!

COME ON PEOPLE, LETS START WATCHING OUR MOUTHS; WORDS CAN KILL! (W.W.J.D.?)

Sometimes it seems like even a request for prayer for some poor soul is accompanied by un-needed juicy details. This is just another excuse to gossip. Naturally that scenario wouldnt be true of you, right?

Many years ago while attending a church service in Los Angeles California, the Minister asked the congregation if there were any prayer requests; after a few folks requests, a lady stood up (pillar of the church) and not only requested prayer for this poor young woman on drugs; she relayed to the church that she had fallen into sin, and at one time had attended that church, but now she was selling her body ect. ect. And the lady even gave God and the church people the address and the street corner where the sin was taking place! Its like our Lord wasnt big enough or knowledgeable enough to already know the location of where this girl was? HELLOoooo! Help us all dear Lord! He knew us all even before we were born, and has all the hair on our heads counted, and even in some instances the ones that have fallen out.J Now was it true concern motivating the church ladies prayer request? I think NOT!! Bluntly put, it is constipation of the brain and diarrhea of the mouth! And, Ill bet a lot of us could plead guilty of that ailment at times, RIGHT? Honestly thinking back in our own lives, (of course) before being led by the Holy Spirit in our daily walk of Love; consider how much heartache was caused because we were not swift to hear and slow to speak James 1:19. In fact lets all read all of James chapter 3. It is about this subject of the all too often unruly tongue.

I have heard it said that nothing is opened by mistake more often than the mouth, and if we speak out when we are angry were liable to make the best speech we will always regret!

Boy isnt that the truth! Theres an old not too funny joke that goes: The only time you see the persons teeth, is when they are changing feet. Open mouth insert foot as the old saying goes.

Dear body of Christ let us agree together this day to ask the Holy Spirit of Almighty God to teach us when to speak, what to say, and when to just be SILENT.

I believe we can all save ourselves a lot of misery and regrets, as well as those people we come in contact with, and also those who live with us or around us. Lets pray that our spirit is so in tune with the Holy Spirit when we do goof up and put our foot in our mouths (so to speak) we will immediately be checked by His Spirit, and repent then and there and learn to CONTROL OUR TONGUES for the remainder of our days.

Remember this: That swallowing our pride will not choke us to death. We can preach a mighty sermon by guarding our mouth. My Prayer is: May the mind of Christ our Savior live in all of us today by His Love and Power controlling ALL we do and say. AMEN!

Proverbs 21:23, NKJV - "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles."

 Sincerely with His Love, Darlene Your fellow sojourner