Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Psalm 141:3
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 13:3
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Prayer keeps our tongue under control
The tongue is a little thing that can do great damage. In James Chapter 3, the tongue is compared to a rudder on a ship, it is little but it can steer a great vessel. James also says that the tongue is a fire, a great destroyer. There is an old saying, "loose lips sink ships". We can see this kind of mess everyday, in every place, by even the best of people. So, what is the cure for this disease of "loose lips"? Prayer keeps our tongue under control.
When we pray, we agree with GOD on matters. We are also united with GOD along the lines of His desire. It is said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" therefore, when we are in prayer, our heart is fixed on GOD and out of our mouth comes GODLY things.
I have a friend who prays before she answers the telephone. She also taught me that when you are asked a question, before you answer you need to pray. The Scripture admonishes us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Unfortunately, many people think that it is the reverse: slow to listen and quick to speak. The art of listening, praying and speaking is a great study. The Scripture is filled with strong examples. One of the examples is Zechariah in Luke 1:11-20. He was so quick to speak that the angel Gabriel had to strike him dumb until he did as he was instructed by GOD. Most of us are not too different from Zechariah.
We are charged by GOD with the task of building up the Body of Christ. We cannot fulfill our mission if we speak without praying and speak in negativity. The result of negative speaking is to tear down and not build up. The Psalmist reminds us to set a watch upon our mouth and keep the door shut. Proverbs reminds us that if we keep our mouth we keep our life.
MAKE MY LIPS AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PRAISE, O LORD.
Psalm 141:3
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 13:3
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Prayer keeps our tongue under control
The tongue is a little thing that can do great damage. In James Chapter 3, the tongue is compared to a rudder on a ship, it is little but it can steer a great vessel. James also says that the tongue is a fire, a great destroyer. There is an old saying, "loose lips sink ships". We can see this kind of mess everyday, in every place, by even the best of people. So, what is the cure for this disease of "loose lips"? Prayer keeps our tongue under control.
When we pray, we agree with GOD on matters. We are also united with GOD along the lines of His desire. It is said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" therefore, when we are in prayer, our heart is fixed on GOD and out of our mouth comes GODLY things.
I have a friend who prays before she answers the telephone. She also taught me that when you are asked a question, before you answer you need to pray. The Scripture admonishes us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Unfortunately, many people think that it is the reverse: slow to listen and quick to speak. The art of listening, praying and speaking is a great study. The Scripture is filled with strong examples. One of the examples is Zechariah in Luke 1:11-20. He was so quick to speak that the angel Gabriel had to strike him dumb until he did as he was instructed by GOD. Most of us are not too different from Zechariah.
We are charged by GOD with the task of building up the Body of Christ. We cannot fulfill our mission if we speak without praying and speak in negativity. The result of negative speaking is to tear down and not build up. The Psalmist reminds us to set a watch upon our mouth and keep the door shut. Proverbs reminds us that if we keep our mouth we keep our life.
MAKE MY LIPS AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PRAISE, O LORD.
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