COMMANDMENT 8 - WATCH YOUR MOUTH
Answer - --your tongue.
The Bible mentions the tongue in a few places.
James 3:5 and 8 say, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. But no man can tame the tongue; it is an restless evil, full of deadly poison."
1 Peter 3:10 says, "For he that will love life, and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
What can I do??
1. Pray that I only speak the words that God wants me to speak.
2. Shut my mouth and resist the temptation to be "right" to be "smart" or whatever I think might be gained by saying something I shouldn't.
3. Apologize immediately for the things I shouldn't have said or for the tone of voice I used to say something that was OK to say.
Now, back to our scripture. "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3
The words you say are like the firebrands tied between the tails of the foxes. The foxes take off running and spinning in all directions lighting things on fire as they go. The destruction is unpredictable and probably widespread. Imagine your words ripping through a person, doing damage as they go. You know that they are hurtful when they leave your mouth, but you really have no idea how badly your words are hurting as they go.
God doesn't want you speaking things you shouldn't. He will help you. You have to be willing to accept the help and, more importantly, you have to be willing to stop saying the things you shouldn't. Pray each morning as you get out of bed that you would only speak the things that God wants you to speak. Keep your mind on Him all throughout the day. He will warn you when something you are about to say is not right. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. (If you have a relapse just do #3 above and keep trying.)
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