Today, I would like to focus on our MOUTH! What are we SAYING? Most of us let anything fly out of our mouths without even thinking about it. That’s what also gets us into trouble sometimes, right? God’s Word enlightens us on the power that we carry, right underneath our nose!

Here are a few points to ponder to see if your mouth needs an “alignment.” It will make your car (life) run much smoother with less wear and tear on your vehicle and can help you get to where you want to go quicker.

A Heart & Mouth Connection

From these verses we see that whatever is in our “heart” comes out our “mouth.” Our speech is a reflection of our inner thoughts and intentions. We should strive to speak words that are truthful, kind, and edifying, reflecting a heart that is focused on God’s will and character.

Have you ever stuck your foot in your mouth, and wish you could retract what you said? We all have. James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.” That is where we all want to get to, but it takes growth, practice, and restraint, to be able to keep a cool head and remain calm, and only say what is good… not necessarily what you would “want” to say! For example, you might want to tell your boss off, but you also need a job, so you have learned to keep your mouth shut and zip it if you want a paycheck, right? We can learn to do that in other areas as well, but it takes being aware and practice. Plus, the Holy Spirit will also be there to help us keep our foot out of our mouth.

Another thing we notice is that what we say comes out of our hearts. So that means we need to back up and see what is going into our hearts, and make sure it is the right thing, so the right thing comes out of our mouths. This goes back to our first lesson on Thoughts. “As a man thinks in his heart… so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). You say, Thoughts are in our minds, not in our hearts! Yes, they start in our minds but then drop down to our hearts after meditating on them, and that thought begins to take root. Then it starts sprouting up and grows bigger and bigger, through our imagination, feelings, and desires, that help bring it to maturity. If we do not uproot it, it will produce “fruit.” Like someone committing “premeditate murder” out of revenge or jealousy. It was inside, in the incubator of their heart growing, until they couldn’t keep it from slipping out of their mouth. Like the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24, we need to ask God to “search our heart and see if there be any wicked ways in me.”   

Guard Your Mouth & Steer Clear

This reminds me of the 3 Monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil! What goes in must come out… somewhere! Keep it out to begin with and you won’t have to be embarrassed at what comes out of your mouth!

To “place a guard over my mouth” expresses a desire to control one’s speech and avoid speaking carelessly or sinfully. It’s a prayer of David for divine help in restraining from harmful words or actions. It’s a desire to be mindful of our words and avoid speaking impulsively to cause harm, which requires self-control and a conscious effort to choose our words carefully.

James 1 talks about how the tongue needs to be bridled like a horse, or like a helm steering a ship. We can steer our lives safely, start a fire, or crash and burn by what we say. We need to steer clear of starting an argument and lead your horse (self) in a different direction. It doesn’t matter if you are right; it is better to pour water on the fire, not fuel! We need to work smarter, not harder!

I love this because it also promises benefits: protects his life, keeps his soul from distress, and makes him a wise man.  

Build Up, Not Tear Down

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Proverbs 15:1-2
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

The first two areas we touched on are focused on ourselves, and what we get in return for our investment in saying the right thing. But this section focuses on the effect we can have on others by what we say, either positive or negative words. We can literally “make or break” someone with our words!

Here are a couple of examples of how to rephrase our words. Instead of saying “I’m terrible at this,” you could say “I’m still learning, but I’m making progress.” Instead of saying “You always mess things up,” you could say, “I see that you’re struggling with this, but I believe you can figure it out.” 

Those of you who have lived with or been around someone who is very negative and has a sharp tongue, know it can slice and dice you in a heartbeat. Whether it is directly or indirectly using snide or joking remarks, or gossip, it still hurts. The sad thing is, most of these people have been hurt themselves, and hurt people hurt people. They can’t love others when they don’t know how to love themselves. Maybe they were told they were worthless and abused as children. They are hurting and like an animal caught in a trap, they will lash out and bite the hand that is trying to help free them.

We can be the voice that helps turn their life around (or our own life) by saying “good” things, encouraging words that bring life and not death. Like pouring water on a wilted plant, it will lift their spirits and help bring them out of their oppression and depression. They need healing and a little TLC. Pray for them and “kill them with kindness” as we say. I have used this method, and it works! It totally changes your situation, and it totally transforms their mindset and outlook on life.

Jesus said in John 4: 10-11, 14) that the water He gives us is living water springing up from within him, flowing out to others. Again, in Revelation 22:1-2 that a crystal river of life proceeds out from under the throne of God which feeds the Tree of Life, making them bear fruit. The leaves are for the healing of the nations. Jesus said “we” have that living water on the inside of us, so let’s give people living water and bring them back to life. Drink up!

Shift your mindset from negative to positive, and from destructive language to constructive language. Help “Build-a-Life!”

It’s Your Call… What Do You Say?

Like in a court of law, the Bible tells us that satan is an accuser (Prosecutor) of the brethren, and Jesus is our “Defense Attorney” pleading on our behalf. What “We Say” can and will be used against us. So, we need to make sure we listen closely to our attorney and follow his lead. We do not want to incriminate ourselves and say the wrong thing. God is the righteous judge, and rule in our favor if we only “say what Jesus says!”

Plus, our words come back to bite us, as we say. They echo or boomerang back around and we get what we dish out to others. That is why the Bible cautions us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). Be nice, forgive, give them the benefit of the doubt, show mercy… remember they are only human (as you are)!

Speak Up – You Have What You Say!

We must also learn not only to refrain from saying the wrong thing, but also learn to say the right thing! It is good to not release evil words to come to pass (curses), but we have not given any “voice commands” of what we want, so nothing happens. Like entering an address into your car navigation, the Spirit can’t take you to your desired destination until you tell it where you want to go. So, speak up!

And we also have to be consistent, not saying “I’m healed” one time and “I’m sick as a dog” the next. You can say “God’s Word is working mightily in me and taking care of everything that concerns me.” Match your words with God’s words. Say what He says to See what He sees! The enemy also knows when you are serious and mean it. Quit being tossed about like waves in the wind, being double-minded. James 1 says we won’t receive anything that way. Make up your mind and stick with your “Final Answer.” It may take a month or while longer, but don’t change your course, keep going. Then you will get there and see it… when everything lines up on the inside and comes into “perfect alignment.”

Grow Up to Go Up

1.) Keep a daily journal of whether your words were negative or positive that day, building up or tearing down, speaking life or death? Make adjustments to your conversation as needed.

2.) Write out a list of things that you desire or would like to see happen in your life. Find scriptures to go with each of them and say them out loud daily. This helps you focus on them, and by hearing your own voice saying them out loud, you are more likely to believe yourself. Reading and hearing them helps transform or rewire your mind, to come into alignment with God’s ways. After doing this daily a.m. and p.m. you will finally start to believe it could happen and start to look for it and expect it… because “God” said so! Then it’s a done deal and delivery is on the way… because you “know!”  

“Say What God Says… to See What God Sees!

Resources:

The Tongue, A Creative Force by Charles Capps