When our son Justin was three years old, we took him to his first Cincinnati Reds baseball game. A fan seated nearby was loud and obnoxious, using bad language. Justin had had enough. In righteous indignation he stood up on his seat and confronted the young man telling him to quit being rude, that that was not a nice way to talk. Other fans seated nearby chimed in and cheered. Justin’s youthful rebuke made a difference in the environment for the remainder of the game.
The Risks of Our Speech
What if someone had listened in on some of your conversations this past week? Maybe they would not have heard profanity, but instead it might have been boasting or gossip. Perhaps they would have overheard some suggestive statements or flattery or hateful words spoken in anger.
Probably few of us could say, “I am satisfied with my speech.” James teaches us, “If we learn to control our speech, we can control our entire lives.”
When you go for a check-up, the doctor may place a wooden tongue depressor on your tongue and ask you to say, “Ahhhhh.” Isn’t it ironic that the method doctors use to check our physical health is similar to the method God uses to check our spiritual health?
The Rudder of Our Speech
It requires little effort to ignite a “wildfire” with our tongues. Rumors, half-truths, complaints, sarcastic remarks, cutting words blurted in the heat of anger—these smoldering matches have the potential for burning down acres of office morale, family peace, and church unity.
How is it possible to worship God on Sunday and repeat a questionable story on Monday? Or pray sincere prayers, then murder someone’s reputation with gossip? I struggle with how one minute I can be genuinely loving and kind, then be superficially selfish and sinful in the next. Do you ever bless people one minute then curse the other driver the next?
Does anyone else struggle with this type of inconsistent behavior?
Maybe for you it’s not a matter of saying the wrong thing; you just aren’t quick to say the right thing and offer praise, encouragement, forgiveness, and love. Start today by praying, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips”(Psalm 141:3). |L
Jeff Stone is the Senior Minister at Discover Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio. Jeff is serving as President for the 2009 North American Christian Convention.
