Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.The Bible has so much to say about the use of our tongue. We can minister life, love, and peace with our tongue, or we can let the devil use it to steal, kill, and destroy. I remember very clearly when the Lord spoke to me about my tongue.
(Prov. 18:21)
In 1973 our family went to Texarkana to minister in song at a church. After the services were over, a group of people went out to eat and have fellowship. I tried very hard to get along with everybody, but I felt like I was missing it somewhere. So, before going to sleep that night, I asked the Lord to help me know what to do.
Before daylight the next morning, I awoke suddenly with a thought, "Read Psalm 29." I knew in my heart God was about to tell me something. So as not to wake Happy, I went to the bathroom with my Bible, closed the door, and turned on the light.
I quickly turned to Psalm 39 and began reading verse one. It said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
The Lord wanted me to adhere to the first part and take heed to my ways by keeping my mouth shut, no matter who was before me. I thanked Him for showing me what steps to take to get along with people.
You see, up to this time in my life, I had a very sharp tongue and could "hold my own" with the very best of them. I had worked in the secular world for many years and had learned to take care of myself!
After all, I thought that if I didn't, nobody else would. I was also very opinionated and would give you my opinion whether you asked for it or not. You can see I had my work cut out for me! But praise God for the Holy Spirit. I did not have to do it alone.
At that time, I was still working in an office downtown. I typed Psalm 39:1 on a strip of paper and put it on my file box so I could see it all the time. It was a constant reminder for me to "bridle my tongue."
There were so many times I wanted to talk about the boss when he was gone, give my opinion, or straighten someone out. But I would see that Scripture and hold my tongue. I was learning to take heed to my ways.
Over the next few months, it became easier and easier to bridle my tongue at the office. But the Lord also wanted me to bridle my tongue at home with my husband and son, at church, and at Bible study.
He wanted it to be a lifestyle, not just an occasional thing. I diligently worked at accomplishing this goal, because God was doing this for my benefit. He was answering my prayer.
The Holy Spirit was helping me, but you must always remember that the only way He can help you is for you to stay in the Word of God. You have to abide in Him and He will abide in you (John 15:4).
When you read the Word, it gets down into your heart, and Jesus said, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matt. 12:34).
If you will do just a little study on the tongue, you will see how powerful it really is. Your concordance will refer you to Scriptures about your lips or your words. Take the time to look them up and meditate on them. They will bless and help you.
By taking heed to my own ways—what I say, how I say it, and when I say it—and by learning to be a listener instead of always talking, my ways have become prosperous in the Lord. People need to know you care about them.
Talking is sharing, but listening is caring. As you apply this principle in your life, I know that your ways will become prosperous too!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers