The topic of last week’s letter was the 9th commandment given in Exodus 20:16, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Psalm 58:3 says, “The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they are born telling lies.”
Psalm 116:11 declares, “All men are liars.”
Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are abomination unto the Lord.
Ephesians 4:25, 29 states, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor..,”
This week, the focus of this letter is on how to get our tongues under control.
First: Treat lying as a sin and as such confess it. Since lying is a sin, treat it as such and flee to I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Second: Realize only God can change the way we speak. James 3:8 says, “Our tongue is like a wild animal that no man can tame.” There’s a simple reason for our inability. It is because only God can tame our tongues. We’ll never be able to train our tongues to bring life instead of death. Real healing comes in our hearts and minds when we realize only God can turn bitter words into sweet words.
Third: Be accountable to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. You and I need to make a conscious decision to respond to those inner nudges and whispers of God’s Spirit, as He seeks to do the very thing that we could never do: “TAME OUR TONGUES.” If we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit in us, we’ll feel the nudge and we’ll know deep down that:
“I really shouldn’t be talking about this,” or
“I shouldn’t be saying this,” or
“This conversation has drifted into something unhealthy.”
We must listen to that voice and respond, even if it makes for an awkward moment or two. For when we do, we’ll be growing toward Christ-likeness.
Fourth: Cry out for help. David said in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Don’t you just love this man’s honest, humble prayers in the psalms? “Lord, You’re my strength. You’re the One who redeems me. You’re the One who can help me control my tongue today. In light of this knowledge, our prayer ought to be, "Lord, teach me to hold my tongue. Teach me to set a watch at the door of my lips that my speech may always be seasoned with grace. MY TONGUE IS NEVER TO BE A SWORD. My speech is always to be edifying, uplifting, and that which glorifies God."
Fifth: Recommit our lives to Worship and Praise: The very last verse in the book of Psalms, Psalm 150:6 says “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” When our hearts are filled with gratitude, there simply isn’t going to be room for false, bitter, or critical words.
Perhaps you are someone who needs to make a conscious decision to repent of lying, slander, and gossip. Regardless of the form in which you are involved, you need to repent of it, confess it to God. Perhaps even make it right with the individual you have lied to or about.
May God grant you the heart of Jesus, who spoke words of grace, truth, compassion, and power. May your tongue be ever used by Him to bring healing, blessing, and life to many FOR HIS GLORY!
Again this week the Weekly SERMON is from an extended study on the “Hero’s of Faith” found in Hebrews chapter 11. May God’s blessing be upon you as you read, “Noah’s Total Faith”.
