Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
CAN YOU HOLD YOUR TONGUE?
What are you speaking into your husband and children today? Words of life and encouragement? Or words of negativity, fear, doubt, complaining, and unbelief?
My, our little tongue has such power, doesn’t it? James 3:6 tells us that even though our tongue is so tiny, “it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” This chapter reminds us that a huge ship in fierce winds can be turned about with “very small helm.” A large horse can be bridled with a little “bit.” Animals, birds, serpents, and even sea mammals can be tamed, but not the tongue (without God’s help).
The other Sunday in church my husband asked everyone to “hold their tongue.” Try it. Your tongue just doesn’t want to be held! It resists!
The only One who can help us bridle our tongue is the Holy Spirit who lives within in. How does God speak? He speaks in righteousness (Isaiah 63:3). Therefore, if we are born again by the Holy Spirit, He dwells within us and enables us by His anointing and power to also speak righteousness. Only He can help us to hold our tongue when we would rather retort back to our husband. Only He can help us speak kindly when we would rather fly off the handle. He is the One who enables to speak life and encouragement to our children.
Therefore, instead of complaining all day long, let’s be like David who said: “My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:28).
Psalm 37:30: “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.”
Psalm 119:172: “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
Psalm 145:21: “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD.”
Psalm 8:7: “My mouth shall speak truth.”
I know you can’t do this in your own strength. Nor can I. Let’s confess the life of Jesus and His righteousness that dwells within us. Only then can we speak righteously.
Have a positive-speaking, faith-building, praise-giving, and righteous-speaking day,
Nancy Campbell
