I just wanted to share something with you that we are focusing on this week in my Good Morning Girls group. This weeks challenge is to watch our tongue. I think this is VERY important, especially as mothers since we set the tone and example for our children.
I don't know about you but I definitely struggle with guarding my tongue at times. I pray that I will continue this challenge through the week and BEYOND! We should ALWAYS be watching our tongue.
Jesus tells us in Matt. 15:11,
"Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
If we are not careful our words can defile us!
James 3:8-10 tells us, But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not be so.
Ouch! What a reminder that with the same mouth we praise God, we use it negatively towards are follow man!
I want to encourage you to try and tame your tongue and when you are struggling, lean into God. He is our strength and we CAN do all things through Him who strengthens us! :) Here is some GREAT suggestions (borrowed from GMG).
When you feel tempted to:When you feel tempted to “put that person in his/her place”, pray instead.
When you feel tempted to spread a “little gossip”, pray instead.
When you feel tempted to “tell it like it is”, pray instead.
When you feel tempted to return hurtful words with your own hurtful words, pray instead.
When you feel tempted to say something you shouldn’t….DON’T…pray instead.
Pray instead, ask God to give you the strength to overcome the temptation and help you develop the discipline of controlling your tongue.
Ways that we can tame our tongues:
1. Humble yourself
2. Put off all slander and evil speaking
3. Put on a heart and words of kindness, love, forgiveness and grace
4. Bring your thought life under the control of the Holy Spirit
5. Talk less
6. Think before you speak
7. Refuse to listen to slander or gossip about others
(Note: These 7 suggestions come from Revive Our Hearts: How To Control Your Tongue )
The only way we can tame our tongue is through the strength of God! So remember to pray and seek God at all times to help you with guarding your tongue and using it for only good. :)
The following verse really stood out to me and is my prayer to God.
Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
Until next time,
~Christen~
