Taming the Tongue

We live in a culture that considers it 'cool' to swear and use strong colorful language. Perhaps for most Christians, this is not a real problem. However, there is a more subtle way of how we use our tongue and this could be tiny white lie, a little insinuation, a clever belittling retort, a small bit of information that we inadvertently let on and so on. The tongue has the power of life and death (Provers 18:21a), and we can use this God given ability for good or harm.
James 3:5-8
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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

The Bible says that it is important to use the power of the tongue for good if it were to go well with us.
Psalm 34:12-13
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
We need to be purposeful in our conversation and speak carefully chosen words that will not only produce victory and blessing in our own life but in the lives of others as well. Our words have power as demonstrated by how Jesus used his mouth to curse a fig tree that failed to produce its fruit in season and how Jesus used his words on many occasions to heal and forgive. As a rudder controls the direction of a ship, our tongue controls the direction of our life. We are our own prophets - what we say today impacts our tomorrow! So it is important to confess the blessings and promises from the Word of God over our life than give in to negative self-talk. The Word of God is Spirit and Life and these words will guide us!
John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Jesus made the clear connection between the heart and the mouth. Basically Jesus said, GIGO - Garbage in, Garbage out. If we are to speak more wholesomely, there is no substitute than to put in more of God's words into our hearts.
Matthew 12:34b-37
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
When we do this, our conversation will be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, and we will know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

How do you use your tongue - as intruments for good or evil? Remember that the Lord has given you the ability to talk so that you can declare His promises and blesings over your life and those of others. Confess any talk that is negative, coarse, harmful or bends the truth and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to speak wholesome words as you feed on His word.
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.