Did you hear…..?

As soon as that phrase comes out of someone’s mouth, all stop to listen. Have you ever been in a store and someone says it. You don’t even know what they are speaking about but ... there it is a little bit of gossip.

Today one does not have to try and listen, it is all around us. You go to the store, park, doctor’s office, even on the street and someone is having a “private” conversation on the cell phone. Nothing is sacred. You can hear all about the “breakup”, “diseases” or the family “black sheep”. These are just a few of the things I have overheard without even trying.

I try not to have private conversations on my cell phone in public. I do not need to “share” personal information “with the world”.

In today’s world it seems that “anything goes” and I do mean “anything.” We need to be careful about what we say and what we listen to.

There are so many verses in the Bible relating to this subject. The word mouth is mentioned 424 times; lip(s) mentioned 122 times, and tongue mentioned 129 times. Do you think the Lord wants us to pay attention to what we say? I would say a resounding yes. Here is just a sampling of what I found in God’s word.

Be careful with what you say:
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:13-14

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 1Peter 3:10

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2

God knows what we are going to say:
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psalm 139:4

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

If you watch your mouth you will be considered wise:
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28

I love this verse, if I just keep quiet someone may think I’m wise. I need to try it the next time a “sharp” reply comes to my mind.

Don’t use your mouth for:
Lying:
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Proverbs 10:18

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Proverbs 17:4

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2

Gossip (spreading tales/stories):
He that goeth about as a talebearer (strong’s: slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer) revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 20:19

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

The words of a talebearer (strong’s: to murmur, whisper, backbite, slander) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20

Let the rumor, gossip, hurtful saying stop with you.

Evil:
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. Proverbs 16:30

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Psalm 52:2

When we say unkind or rude things it cuts like a sharp razor –ouch!

Use your mouth for:
Praising God:
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrew 13:15

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Psalm 71:8

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. Psalm 109:30

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:21

Talk about God and what He has done for you.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28

I make goals each year, sometimes I keep most of them, sometimes it’s a miracle if I keep one. This year one of my goals was to memorize verses having to do with the mouth and tongue. This has helped me to “hold” my tongue in a lot of circumstances. It is amazing how I will get in a situation (such as wanting to say “did you hear …”) and a verse will come to mind.

God wants each of us to grow closer to Him. Using our mouths in the right way is a great start.

Have a blessed day,
Donna