Taming the Tongue

I got this from a friend of mine and I just want you all to read this as well.

Very important information and most of us struggle with this issue.

Please prayfully read this and may the Lord bless you!

In today's culture foul language runs rampant. I have heard people say all my life that so and so "curses like a sailor". However, when they make this comment, I don't get a sense that they are offended or bothered by so and so "cursing like a sailor". The even more perplexing thing is that even Christians don't seem to have an issue with so and so "cursing like a sailor".

Taming the tongue is a virtue that all Christians can benefit from. When Malachi and I were first married I quickly learned that I needed to clean up my language. I was a brand new born again Christian who desperately needed to clean out some old habits. Cursing was one of those nasty habits that needed to be cut away from my tongue. In moments of frustration or anger the worst words would spew from my mouth. It was literally like vomiting. It is gross and nasty. Speaking such words of filth left me feeling sick to my stomach.

There is nothing more unChrist-like than to use such words of filth. As Christians we are called to a higher standard of living. As a Christian wife and mother I am called to live a life of submission to the Lord and my husband. I should be pleasant to all those I come in contact with. Even if no one else ever hears me utter a filthy word, doesn't give me the right to curse in private. It is unbecoming of a lady and makes a mockery of Christ.

We are told in scripture that our mouths will speak of that which fills our heart. (Luke 6:45 and Matthew 12:34) I find this very convicting. There are people who think that talking about Jesus all day is boring. I would refer them to these two verses. If our hearts are filled with things that do not glorify the Lord, then it will spill out of our mouths. If our hearts are filled with the love for the Lord, then that is what will spill out of our mouths. Which one describes your heart?

I have heard some people say they only use curse words to express something that regular words just can't. As a Christian, this is a cop-out and is no excuse for using such filth. The English language is filled with all kinds of clean descriptive words. It is a deliberate choice we make each time we open our mouths.

I am not saying that I never have a slip of the tongue. However, you better believe I have a husband who is quick to reprove me. The Holy Spirit is also quick to chastise me for filth that comes out of my mouth. The Lord is also quick to convict me when my thoughts are less than Christ-like. If you claim to be a Christian and do not feel convicted about impure thoughts or filthy language, then I would urge you to check your spiritual pulse and seek the Lord. Scripture is pretty straight forward about how we should speak.

"Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourselves." James 1:26

"Let your speech always be gracious… " Colossians 4:6

"You have heard that the ancients were told, ..YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and ..Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ..You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ..You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." Matthew 5: 21-22

Just in these three verses alone we see how important it is so have a speech that isn't corrupted with evil phrases. Christians are expected to control their tongues. We are to be set apart from the unbelievers in the world. We are told we should be a peculiar people. We should not behave or speak like those who do not know Christ. We also should not be ruled by our emotions or feelings. These do not justify using filthy language.

My husband explains it this way:
"When someone is verbally venting, they often let their emotions control their speech. This does not mean it's acceptable but it is at least understandable. However,when someone is writing something down they have to carefully think about each word being written. Even in an emotionally driven topic, every word written down is thought about and chosen in a deliberate manor. So there is some "grace" given to someone who's thoughts are being controlled by anger, but that cannot be extended to someone who has carefully (and most likely re-read and edited a few times before finalizing) chosen each word to use. It is the same difference between "crime of passion" and pre-meditation. It is possible to have your emotions control your tongue, but nearly impossible for them to do the same to your fingers."

Christians are being watched all the time. The unbelieving world is always looking for a flaw. They actually enjoy seeing a Christian "fall from grace", so to speak. If this is the case, then we need to be even more careful with not only our actions but with our speech. Our goal is to lead people to a life changing, soul saving relationship with Christ. If we do not look or act any different then an unbeliever, then why would they feel the need to change?

We need to be ever mindful of how we behave, speak. We also need to be mindful of the things we post on our own blogs, websites and myspace pages. There is absolutely no excuse for Christians to curse. It makes a mockery out of Christ and actually defeats our efforts in trying to win the lost to Christ.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14

The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise {and} to do good. Psalms 36:3

He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:9

I pray that if you struggle with "taming your tongue", that you will go before the Lord and ask for His help. God is faithful to help us when we ask. He delights in those who seek to please Him. We need to remain pure in our actions and in our speech.

Serving God and My Family,Crystal <>< (SAHM)