“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile” (Psalm 34:13).
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
As you walk with God, He is concerned about the words that come out of your mouth–the things that you share, confess, affirm, and speak into the lives of others. It is a good thing to ask the Holy Spirit to be the guardian of your speech. The Bible tells us that we should be more involved with listening than we are with speaking (James 1:19).
It is freeing to know that God doesn’t ask you to speak all the time, talk about anything, and have an opinion about everything. God does, however, gives you great encouragement to speak things that are good, things that build others up, things that are bathed in grace, and things that come from His heart directly to yours.
Have you seen anyone speak discouragement and pain into someone, a spouse, a child, a friend, a coworker? “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). That person will bring destruction into their own life because of it.
Our words can justify us or condemn us (Matthew 12:37). They can bring us joy. (Proverbs 15:23), or corrupt and dishonor (Matthew 15 :11). What we say can either build up or break down the soul of whomever we are speaking to (Proverbs 15:4). The consequences of what we speak are so great that our words can leads us to ruin or save our lives (Proverbs 13:13)
Everyone has a choice about what he or she says, and there are rewards for making the right one. “Whoever guard his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
Let the Holy Spirit be the guardian of your speech and you will never speak ill of anyone again. Won’t you lift someone up with encouraging words today? God bless you!
Let's Talk Gospel 
Noel, thank you for a timely reminder to watch what I say. It is to easy at times to say things that should not be said, and to NOT say things that should be said. Wise is he/she that has control over the tongue.
Great post brother.
Greg
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Thank you very much writinggomer, for your comment. It is always good to hear from you my brother. I was prompted to write this post because I needed to remind myself that I should speak life rather than death. It pleases God when we speak blessings into other people’s life. The Bible says, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
God bless you my brother and have a good weekend.
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Praise God! Wonderful message, Noel! Sometimes we need to be reminded of just how powerful the tongue is, though just a little member in the body! God bless!
Paulette
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Thanks a million for your comment, Minister Paulette. I was prompted to write that post because I needed to remind myself that words have consequences. Therefore whatever I say can either be life or death.
Thanks a lot for stopping by. God bless you.
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Matthew 15:11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.
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Well said Sakira! Words have consequences. The psalmist David says: “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).
Thanks for stopping by again. God bless you.
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Great article the scriptures referenced are very powerful as well as good food for the soul. I do not call myself a christian per se I like to call myself a lover of GOD the creator, and the Bible is my Truth source. I was raised in a christian household and went to church every single sunday until the age of 18. Like anyone that has lived on the face of this earth I have made mistakes and I have buried those same mistakes along with my past. You would think that I could look to the people who call themselves christians to have compassion and to forgive and forget yet it is not always the case. I have encountered so many that use their speech in a way to be vexatious and to psychologically harass. I expect this from the worldly and ungodly people because I understand that it is just the way of the world. It angers me that I have to deal with that type of attitude with so called christians, and even MORE when the so called christians are a part of your immediate family. I am at a point in my life where I feel the only way I can truly have peace and a since of comfort while on this earth is to be alone. I wish I didn’t feel that way and I hope that things do change to where I can be around people. It is just so much wickedness,hypocrisy, and judgement being placed upon me that at times I just want to give up. Some how some way though GOD gives me the strength and even guides me to the scriptures to sharpen my faith. To any and everyone that has had someone try to tear them down with their tongues either indirectly or directly I say this, Stay strong and know that GOD is LOVE. Sometimes you are going to want to snap back at these people I know because there are plenty of times where I have, I am in no shape or form perfect. I’ve learned to not even give it life or energy, though if it persist believe that GOD will give you the words to rebuke.
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Jason–Let me say thanks for your input. I understand your concerns about so-called Christians. They are everywhere. However, I would suggest that one do not loose sleep over these people. Romans 3:23, states: “for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Further, no matter what a man’s past may have been, his future is spotless. In addition, when the Scribes and the Pharisees ridiculed Jesus for eating and drinking with sinners, He relied this way, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).
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