Guarding Our Speech: Choosing Words That Honor God
Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise."
Proverbs 21:23, "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles."
Psalm 141:3 , "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Hello Bride of Christ,
While the Mayo Clinic reports that five to ten percent of people have an actual speech disorder, I estimate that over 50% struggle with speech control and might consider using a mouth guard, as Proverbs 21:23 suggests. Words hold immense power; God used them to create everything, speaking the universe into existence. As bearers of His image, our words carry that same power, capable of building up or tearing down. I often remember this at family dinners when a single comment slips from my lips, robbing the table of joy and laughter and quickly replacing it with solemn silence of hurt souls. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So how can we take control of what we say? How do we choose to speak life?
As Bible-reading, Jesus-following believers, we understand the wisdom of these verses:
Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV): "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV): "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV): "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Yet, too often, we find ourselves in heated conversations, allowing our tongues to unleash complaints, criticism, slander, gossip, or idle chatter. Why does this happen? To address any issue effectively, we must identify its root. Thankfully, our Lord not only asks us to speak wholesomely but also reveals where our words originate before they leave our lips.
Jesus bluntly states, "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:34-35, NKJV)
The heart.
When we examine our speech, we uncover what resides in our hearts. As the Bride of Christ, we must allow the Lord to reign in our hearts, enabling good treasures—words of immense power for His glory—to flow from us! I believe David offers us a remedy for our hearts and mouths in Psalm 145. These three simple (though not easy) decisions can restore our speech to honor God:
Psalm 145:1: Extol God as your God and King.
Allow God to rule in your life as Creator and King of Kings.Psalm 145:2: Resolve to bless the Lord every day.
Choose to say things that are pleasing to Him.Psalm 145:7: Speak only of His great goodness.
Share God’s mighty acts in your life and the lives of others more than any other topic.
These decisions require daily commitment. However, I believe that when we practice them consciously and intentionally over time, we will become like the Psalmist, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:21)
