Introduction:
For the second subject of study for this year under the theme “Seek God’s Kingdom,” I have chosen to study “Managing Your Mouth.” This is an area of particular challenge for me. I like to talk, and I am very opinionated. I do a lot of research and therefore know a little bit about a lot of things. Many of these things are very interesting to me, so I assume they are interesting to others too and am glad to share all the new things I learn. But sharing my opinion or all the new information I find is not always helpful or wise. There is a time to speak, but there is a time not to speak as well.
For the next few weeks, the subject of study will be on Sinful Speech versus Wise Speech
Our key verse is Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Connie Hughes has written a book called How to Manage Your Mouth. In it she tells how she was impacted by a visiting preacher who challenged all his hearers to examine everything they said for one month by using the following verse: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
That is quite a challenge. With everything I say, suppose I ask, “Is there anything corrupt in what I said? That is, was it bad, rotten, or simply worthless (See Strong's Concordance)? Jesus said, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36,37) “Idle” means “unemployed, lazy, barren, or useless.” It is not just the outright bad or evil words that we speak that we will give account of before God, but it is words that are unemployed or worthless, words that are of no benefit to someone else. Wow! That is a lot to consider. We should not just ask, “Is it kind or necessary?”, but “Will it help someone else? Does it have a use? Can it be employed for the Lord’s glory?”
Another question I might ask about my speech is, “Does it edify?” Is there anything in the words I want to speak that would be good for another person or help to build them up? Will they encourage a person or draw that person to the Lord?
A third question I might ask is, “Will the words I want to speak minister grace to my hearers?” That is, “Will my words have a divine influence in their hearts? Will they reflect the Savior and what He has done in my heart? Are they courteous? Will they bring joy, pleasure, or benefit to my hearer? Are they thankworthy and acceptable?”
Suppose I actually remembered to ask myself these things before speaking? What would be the effects? How would it change what I say? How would it help or change others?
These are the things I would like to consider and focus on for the next several weeks. It will be a journey, and there will be many rocky places and slippery places on the way. It will be a difficult journey. Would you like to come along? I hope you will join in.