Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 13:3 The one who guards his words guards his life, but whoever is talkative will come to ruin

Proverbs 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lip

James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Proverbs 15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply– and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

I awoke this morning with a strong sense – I need Him! Before I speak, before I move, I need Him to form my thoughts and words. Sometimes I forget what it was like to be unsaved and can get lulled into religiosity or the Christian culture. I can forget how important living every day, every moment, every breath in subjection to His will is. Even something as seemingly small as words.

We live in the information age and social media is booming. The written word has become increasingly more significant, but the word from our mouths in everyday life is still important.

The Bible has a lot to say about words. We are to be His mouthpiece . . . now that is humbling. I marvel at God’s patience with me and all mankind at how futile our thoughts, words and ways can be. Everything good that we have – wisdom, knowledge and possessions – He gave to us, but we can begin to think they are ours. This is further complicated by the evil that lingers and infiltrates our thoughts. If we do not recognize and reject haughty, selfish or envious thoughts as being evil, we become apathetic at guarding the gate over our mouth. We become blind to the significance of our words and can become a tool of the enemy, wielding words harmfully.

Words and thoughts fly out so fast it can be difficult to retrain them. But there is hope if I put no confidence in the flesh and cling to His words more than my own.
If I cry out to God and recognize my need for God to help me, therein lies victory. Not perfection, but something better – a life yielded to God in word and deed that will bear lasting fruit. How amazing to speak what God would have us to speak rather than words which penetrate the air for a moment with no lasting value?

Speak words that bring life today. Someone you encounter might really need to hear them.

Lord, as we go about this precious gift of life you have given, may we not utter idle words or words that could harm you or others around us. Help us to be aware of thoughts and words that displease you and to be gentle and kind, reflecting your glory in a world filled with so many words destroying hope.