The Tongue is a Fire"

I have two ears, two eyes, two hands, two legs, two feet…one mouth.  I am convinced that If I lived my life doing twice as much listening, twice as much observing,  and twice as much doing, as I do talking…I would certainly be better off.  I have one mouth and the Bible says my tongue is a fire.  Consider this,  our mouth can be used to ask questions, to seek guidance, to honor our elders, to affirm our children, or it can be used to tear down and destroy.  Ephesians 4:9 says “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.”  King David wrote in the Psalms 19…” May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.”  I can think that I have everything altogether perfect on the inside and then hear myself say something so astonishingly wicked and wonder…where did that come from? Yet we know it is from the abundance and overflow of our heart that our mouth speaks.  It isn’t enough to just watch what I say, I need to watch what I allow to come in to my heart.  Paul says in Galations 2 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.”  Tonight we use our mouth Lord Jesus to lift up your name and give you praise.  Thanks for letting me share.  Randy Young.

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