20/20 Vision Day 4 -- Your Words

I remember with bitter fondness the first time I realized what Psalm 141:13 was saying.  I pictured one of those little G.I.Joe toy figures with a gun, sitting right alongside my mouth and pointed at the words as they came out of my lips, a silly picture. It was combined with the thought: only two things can come out of my mouth, either blessings (things that encourage people) or cursings (words that tear people down, whether consciously or unconsciously). From that time on, I began to grow in awareness of my words.

Then there was the time I was alone in a department store in a foreign country. I did not speak or understand the language. However, it was obvious that the guard was flirting with the checkout girl: that can be understood in any language. At one point I had the thought that I could be vulnerable if I demonstrated ignorance of the language, so I kept my mouth shut and paid for my items. At the door, a loud alarm sounded.  The girl had neglected to remove the anti-theft trigger on a piece of clothing. I turned around an gave the most exaggerated expression of frustration that I could muster up in the moment – again not speaking a word. I learned that much can be said and accomplish without opening ones’ lips.

“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.” “Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!”“ But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God;” James 3:5, Ps 34:13 James 3:8-9

“And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” James 3:10 NLT

If you are someone responsible for speaking or someone who worries about what to say in any given situation, know that “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord” or “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” Pro.16:1 AKJV/MSG

Father, God, we thank you that you have given to us such a powerful tool. Help us to increase awareness of our words, to think before speaking, to align our hearts with you before opening the door of our lips.