“LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3.
Proverbs 10:19 states-
“The one who controls his lips is wise.”

I’m glad God included in the Psalms and Proverbs the words that are before us today about controlling our speech.
It’s important to talk, but talking too much is as bad as not talking at all.

Proverbs extols rationing our words.

Once, when Thomas Edison the inventor was at a reception-
– the toastmaster stood up and complimented him on his many inventions, especially the talking machine.

After the toastmaster sat down, the aged inventor rose to his feet and said-
“Thank you for those remarks, but I must correct one thing. It was God who invented the talking machine. I only invented the first one that can be shut off.”

A doctor told me that once, while writing out a prescription, he asked a woman to put out her tongue.

When he had finished, she said to him, “But doctor, you never even looked at my tongue.

“The doctor replied, “It wasn’t necessary, I just wanted you to keep quiet while I wrote the prescription.”

Amidst the humour of today’s notes, don’t miss the point, words are important, but don’t overdo them.

If your lips would keep from slips
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how and when and where.

A wise person has a disciplined tongue.
Many need to learn this, for, like the tongue in old shoes, our tongue is often the last thing to be worn out.

If a disciplined tongue is your need, ask God to help you, for an undisciplined tongue is an unloving tongue.

“Father, I realize that oftentimes my tongue is the most difficult thing to bring under control. Yet I have the promise of Your help even in this. I give you my tongue to be bridled – take over the reins. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

(PR)

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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6).

Learn an interesting lesson from snails.
They are made with teeth on their tongues.

A well-known scientist examined a snail’s tongue under a microscope and counted 30,000 teeth.
Usually the snail keeps his tongue rolled up like a ribbon. But when needed, it sticks it out and the teeth do their damage.

Sometimes people have teeth on their tongues, too-
– that can snap, bite, and inflict damage.

The Bible tells us to let our speech always be with grace.
Not sometimes!
But always, according to this verse.
And we shouldn’t be boring.

The phrase “seasoned with salt” specifically refers to salt’s power-
– not as a preservative, but as a seasoning.

Salt keeps food from tasting bland or insipid.
It makes a dish flavourful and enjoyable.

That’s the way our talk should be.
Don’t be biting or boring in your conversations today.

Be edifying and interesting, knowing how to answer each one.
May God take control of our tongues.

Guard your lips from telling lies.
Speak the truth in love!

(PR)

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“No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone” (Ephesians 4:29).
Rotten talk is like vomit!
It spews out of the depths of your being and makes a nasty mess wherever it lands.
Sometimes it makes you feel better temporarily-
– but it’s an unpleasant experience for whoever happens to be in the way!
Unwholesome language-
– in all its nasty forms, like gossip, criticism, sarcasm, lying, bragging, and crude humour is impure, ugly, and evil.
Someone always gets hurt by it.
In fact, the words that come out of your mouth have more power to do damage than you may realize.
Yet they also have potential for immeasurable good:
Your words of encouragement can lift a heavy heart.
Your words of kindness can boost someone’s damaged self-worth.
Your words of wisdom can help others make smart choices.
Your words of truth can bring others closer to God.
Over the next few days, listen closely to the kind of talk that comes from your mouth.
If you don’t like what you hear, ask God’s forgiveness-
– then look for ways to build others up instead of tearing them down by what you say.
If your friends are in the habit of causing damage with their words-
– set an example for them by the way you talk.
You’ll feel better about yourself!
Those who listen to you will, too.
(PR)

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