Hold Your Tongue
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28)
Today’s Morsel: Scripture tells us that Pilate marveled that Jesus did not say a word against the people that were accusing Him, nor say a word for His release. James tells us that the tongue is the unruliest member of our body. “Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:3-12) James highlights for us that our tongue if full of deadly poison and we need to learn how to control it so that it does not get out of hand and cause us trouble. Solomon tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. What we say and how we say it can cause us and others death or life. And David asks of us, “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalms 34:12-13) Don’t allow your mouth to speak evil. If you desire a good and productive life, learn how to hold your tongue.
Sing: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O’ God.
Thought For Today: There is always a time to keep silent and a time to speak.
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