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TONGUE: SOMETIMES BETTER HELD (PROVERBS 10:19-20)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Tongue: Sometimes better held.” To hold one’s tongue means to exercise restraint on how one expresses one’s thoughts, emotions, desires, or responses to a situation. We shall reflect on the fact that it takes the Word of God to become prudent in speech or to hold one’s tongue to avoid sin.

Dear friend in the Lord, it takes the study, knowledge and obedience of God’s Word to prudently control or hold our tongues. Solomon admonished us that “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. (Proverbs 10:19) In other words, the more we express our ungodly, evil and misguided thoughts and emotions the more we continue to sin. Similarly, our righteousness is demonstrated through our speech when our hearts and minds are filled with the Word or things of God. It is for this reason, Solomon proceeded to add that “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value (Proverbs 10:20) The tongue can be a useful servant or a weapon or tool of destruction depending on our intentions. Believers are to reflect on the Word of God or the words that come from the mouth of God to gain wisdom by prudently using the tongue. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Many marriages and relationships have been destroyed because some people were not wise or prudent in holding their tongues. Opportunities have been lost, the image or integrity of people has been tainted, lies have been told, empty promises have been made, and irrecoverable damage has been done to people’s reputations for lack of prudence in speech. James warns us about the use of the tongue when he says “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell… With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:5-6,9-10)

No one, except God, knows our thoughts and emotions, but immediately we speak or make them known through speech it may either have a good or bad effect on others or may glorify or offend God. It is for this reason Jesus said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” (Matthew 15:10-11). We greatly encouraged as believers to follow the Psalmist’s example when prayed, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14). When our hearts and minds meditate on the Word of God daily, the words of our mouth will be pleasing in His sight, then “conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that we will know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)

In summary, we have been called upon to be prudent in speech or in restraining our tongues. How can we do this effectively? It takes the study, knowledge and obedience of God’s Word to gain wisdom to prudently control or hold our tongues. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and prudence through the study and obedience of God’s Word to be effective and influential communicators. May the prudent use of our tongues promote peace, reconciliation and mutual respect in our marriages and relationships. Amen.