Sinful Tongue Part 2

In the previous post, we discussed the importance of speaking as a Christian. Recall the ways we've already covered in which we can use our tongues in ways that are not pleasing to God. They were by lying, flattery, being proud, and through overuse. Hopefully that gave you something to think about. The first step in asking God to correct you is to recognize that something needs correcting.  I hope you are ready to dive even deeper in examining the errors of our tongue. Let's pick up where we left off with more ways that God is not pleased with our talk and ways that we are misusing our mouths as Christians. Go ahead and get ready... these particular ways may apply to a few more of us than the previous post:

Too Fast

We have all spoken before time. Instead of waiting on the Lord or choosing our words wisely we just blurt it out. God's word says the following in Proverbs 18:13: "To answer before listening - is a folly and shame"  James 1:19 warns us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Seriously sis, once those words leave your mouth they are out there. They can't be recalled and the damage is done. It is worth it to take some time and think before you speak. We boast sometimes that "I say whatever is on my mind." That ain't cute, girlfriend. If our thoughts are innappropriate, we should think before saying anything. Maturity shows in our ability to filter our speech so that it is pleasing to God and not hurtful to others. Besides, if you speak before you listen how do you even know you are responding to the right thing?

Two Faced

Proverbs 25:23 and Romans 1:30 make mention of a sly tongue or a slanderer. I'm sure we don't need the explanation but this is someone who uses their tongue against you when you aren't present, yet they will not face you with their charges when you are present. Christians very often show two faces by criticizing each other or talking about a brother or sister in Christ rather than encouraging them or holding them accountable. Proverbs 6:19 warns against the false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Gossipping

Proverbs 18:8 says, "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" Leviticus 19:16 says, "Do not go about spreading slander among your people." As Christians we have a responsibility to deny our own desires and seek to edify other Christians (Rom. 14:19; Philip. 2:3).  Gossiping and spreading the business of or lies about others is not edifying to the Kingdom and is one of Satan's greatest weapons against us. We should do all that we can to stop gossip. Do not participate in it and do not allow anyone to tell you gossip. If you refuse to listen to it, eventually people will not even think to share it with you. What we allow, we encourage. Don't let people gossip around you.

Cursing

The cursing Christians are some of the most skilled cursers I've ever heard in my life!!! You have not been cursed out until a Christian woman lets you have it. That's a shame, but it is true. Profanity is often used as a means of expressing deep or sincere emotions. Sometimes it is used for lack of expanded vocabulary. But for some of us, myself included, it just fits in a sentence perfectly sometimes. Let's repent y'all! I am guilty of slipping up in anger occasionally. Romans 3:14 says, "Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." This passage is actually explaining unsaved people and their ungodly ways, yet there are a great many professing Christians who curse regularly."He loved to pronounce a curse- may it come back on him. he found no pleasure in blessing- may it be far from him. He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil."(Psalm 109:17-18) I can't stress enough how important it is for us to not allow curses to flow freely from the same mouth we use to bless God's holy name.

Smart Mouth

I'm going to be honest with y'all. As I was preparing to write this post, I did more repenting than writing. I spit fire when it comes to smart remarks! :( I hope God is speaking to you as much as He is speaking to me, sis. I have a smart mouth. We've disguised the negative attribute by dressing it up in a more acceptable term; sarcasm. Proverbs 12:18 speaks of this tongue by saying, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Some people have a sharp piercing tongue which Satan uses to offend and insult others. As Christians, we are called to speak in grace. (Colossians 4:6) Titus 2:8 commands us to use sound speech which cannot be condemned. It is easier to catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. As it is more easily to reach people with graceful, compassionate speech rather than harsh, sarcastic, bitter words.

Quiet Mouse

Just as it is possible for us to talk too much, it is also possible for us to not talk enough. We have been called to speak out, witness, and testify in the name of Jesus! In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Christians have an obligation to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus. To be silent about Christ is to sin against Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38) I know that it was difficult for me to speak up about God for a very long time so I had to pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through me and even give me opportunities to share His word. Sometimes it's easier to tell the world, as we should... but it starts in our own homes or right next door, witnessing to people that we see every day. Practice!

Now I know that this can be difficult, especially when you've been use to speaking a certain way for so long and granted just as those habits were not built over night, they will be hard to break. The most important thing is to start from the inside out and allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to operate in your speech. As your heart and mind are transformed, you will began to talk differently. It may not hurt to keep in mind that God hears these words that are coming from your mouth at all times. What if the Lord comes back right while you are letting somebody have it? As Christians, we are representatives of Christ. So not only should we not act and speak as the world, but we should be an example to the world of godly behavior. Watch your mouth!

 

With love, 

-Kimyatta

Daily Prayer: Lord, please help me to use my mouth only in ways that are pleasing to you. Help me to examine my thoughts before I speak and give me the words and opportunity to build others up instead of tearing them down. 

Scripture to Study: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Sinful Tongue Part 1

    One of the most outward indicators that God had really begun a work in my life was in my speech. You wouldn't believe the things that came out of my mouth when I was in the world. A.MESS! Sometimes I look back at old Facebook or Twitter post and I literally get sick to my stomach. I cursed like a sailor, gossiped, was very negative, lied, argued, tore people down, and so on. As God began to transform my heart, without effort the things that came from my mouth were different. This was evidence to me that our heart is visible in what we allow to exit our mouths.  Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34)

My study of God's word further revealed how important it was that we are careful about what comes out of our mouths. James 3:10 really opened my eyes when the writer called me out in scripture. "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing, my brother this should not be." OMG! It hit home for me there... think about it, it is detestable that the same mouth we use to give God praise, is also the same mouth we use to do the very things He despises. Very hypocritical.

Society has made it okay to tear people down, to talk behind people's backs, to use profanity, and to even lie. But for the Christian, this is not okay. According to Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." In James 3:6, the Bible says that the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and James 3:8 calls the tongue a "deadly poison."  1 Peter 2:1 tells us to rid ourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. The matters of the mouth appear in great number throughout the bible, showing us the importance of it's proper use in our Christianity. You very well may not think you have a problem with your tongue. Well let's review some of the ways God says we misuse it...

Lying

None of us can stand to be lied to but all of us can admit that we've lied before. If you say you've never lied...you're a liar.  Proverbs 25:18 says, "Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who give false testimony against a neighbor." The thing about a lying tongue is that it has no restriction. It will lie about anyone, anywhere, or anything and is not easily detected. A lying tongue is indicative of one that is not of God. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and God said that he hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:17, Psalm 5:9). According to Revelation 21:8, all liars will join other sinners in the lake of fire. Seriously... a lie is not worth your salvation. 

Flattery
I certainly had no idea that over complementing someone/something or "flattery" was considered a sin of the tongue. However Romans 16:28 is one place in the bible that we see that it is deemed that such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. "By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." We see in Psalm 12:3 "May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue." The word tells us that whoever corrects a person will gain favor rather than one who flatters a person. (Proverbs 28:23) Just to be clear, flattery is just a form of lying, and it has no place in the life of a Christian.

Proud Tongue

We all know someone that is very boastful, overly confident, and has no problem letting you know exactly how great they are. Someone with a proud tongue will typically only talk about themselves and does not listen very well. A proud-tongued Christian will talk much of his knowledge and service, but very little about the Lord. You can't tell folks with a proud tongue anything because they know everything. Sis, I hope this isn't you! God doesn't like that. 1 Corinthians 1:31 said that if we are to boast we should only boast in the Lord. We know that without Him we would have not, be not, or do not.. so give the credit where the credit is due. Be humble and show humility in your speech. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you because it really ain't about you.

 

Overuse

Yes, it is a sin to talk too much. Shut up sometimes, girlfriend! Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares and many words mark the speech of a fool" That pretty much sums it up, sweetie. The more we talk, the more likely we are to sin: to lie, to brag, to gossip. In addition, it is practically impossible to listen if you are busy talking. 


Let these matters sink in and ask God to help you correct your speech. Seek Him to cleanse your heart and soften your tone if necessary. Delivery of speech is just as important as what is being said. As a Christian, the easiest way to show who you belong to is by speaking to people in grace. It is often not what we say, it's how we say it.  

With Love,
- Kimyatta 

Daily Prayer: Lord please help me to control my mouth. I now know how important it is for me to speak in a godly manner and I am a representative of your kingdom. You have given clear instructions in your word how I am to use my tongue. It is my prayer that the words from my mouth are edifying and build up others.

Scripture to Study:  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Gossip, cursing, speaking negatively, blaspheming God! 
2 Timothy 2:16