Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
The tongue is the only muscle in the human body that functions without the support of the skeleton. It is a tough muscle and the most sensitive muscle of the body. Our tongue is only 4 inches and is made up of 8 different muscles. Tongue is a digestive organ and its important functions include tasting, breathing, swallowing, and speaking. The tongue moves the food around and twists and turns to make different sounds as we speak. It also keeps the airway open to help us to breathe.
There are over 120 passages in the Bible about the tongue because even though the tongue is a small organ of the body it builds or breaks; bridges or bursts our relationships. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! (James 3:5). The small 4 inch long organ of the body can cause havoc if it is not bridled and controlled. Careless words are like a spark that destroys a forest. The bones and the muscles join together and support and shape the body, but the tongue is free from the structural constraint of the skeleton. Hence it is free to twist, twirl and turn unless it is bridled.
The skeleton free unbridled tongue can become destructive unless it is bridled with the truth, values and wisdom. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). A perverse tongue twists the truth, insults others and spits out jokes that are filthy or demeaning. A tongue that is bridled from perversion, sassiness and slander reveals the purity of the heart and the clarity of the mind.
Bridle the tongue against perversion, deceit and lies:
1. Sensitive: Tongue is the most sensitive organ and is reactive to very hot food/drinks, spicy foods, alcohol or tobacco. Likewise, the tongue can speak sensitive, touchy and treacherous words that can break the heart and ruin relationships. Be sensible about sensitive topics.
2. Sassy: The tongue exposes the pride, insecurity or envy hidden in the heart and can make smart and sassy comments. Sharp and sarcastic comments can break the heart. Keep your tongue from speaking guile.
3. Slanderous: Slander and gossip divides homes, relationships and friendships. Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence (Psalm 101:5a). Remaining silent in a gossip gang does not keep us clean; it is our duty to silence the gossipers. Slander is the sharp sword that causes disunity.
The tongue functions without the support of the skeleton hence the tongue must be on the bridle of godly values, truth and wisdom.
The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust – Josh Billings
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Prayer: Father God, put my tongue under a tight leash to keep my mouth from slander and my lips from speaking guile. Amen.
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