Day 174 – Why do I say what I will later regret?
Today’s Reading: Psalm 141 – 143
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
The words spoke from our mouth have the ability to hurt and to heal; they can be like a bubbling brooke, bringing laughter and encouragement, or they can a waterfall, beautiful but powerful, able to crush you if you fall under them.
But who can take their own tongue?
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:7-10
Through Jesus’ work on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God has the ability to teach us over time to refrain our words by taking our thoughts captive, guarding our mouths from destruction. Its not easy! It doesn’t happen overnight because I wish it did! I still get caught saying things I later regret, things I didn’t think through before they passed my lips. But the Holy Spirit is doing a work in us by nudging our hearts to seek forgiveness and repentance, striving to guard my mouth more. We won’t always get it right, but we have the help we need if we listen to it, to lead us on the right path.
As I tell my children, I also tell myself, “Before the words come out of your mouth, think them through, checking for anything unkind, unworthy, or hurtful.”
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Running 2 Fly 