Controlling the Tongue

Proverbs 6: 16 - 19, These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. NKJV

Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel that we will know false prophets by the fruit they bear. He also tells us that it is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Have you listened to what is on the hearts of people lately? When we step back and take a good look at the fruit of people's thoughts and imaginations, it tells us a whole lot about the condition our society is in. 

Out of the seven things that Solomon calls an abomination to God, three of them are directly connected to the tongue. Almost half the things that God hates about the wickedness of man originate from an evil tongue. Satan used the tongue to speak great lies to Eve about God and about Eve's identity. Through his words, he was able to deceive Eve, and then turn her heart against God. In other words, Satan caused division in the world. We know from the account in Genesis 3 that Satan spoke a lie to Eve; he bore false witness against God concerning the consequences of eating from the tree of knowledge, and finally, he sowed discord. 

Therefore, we can say that Satan is the originator of the problems mankind has with the tongue. James tells us that the tongue is a small member, but it can do great damage to the body. It can set small fires that quickly escalate into huge infernos, which destroy lives, marriages, careers, churches, and businesses. I have personally witnessed the tongue stop moves of God in the church by sowing discord among other members. 

Almost two years ago, our church experienced a mighty move of God's Spirit, and miracles begin breaking out in the body. There is a woman in our church that was in her house when it exploded from a gas rupture under her house. The explosion almost destroyed her leg. As a result of the extensive surgery on her femur bone, her leg was shortened. She had to walk with the assistance of a cane because her heel couldn't touch the floor. God did a creative miracle in her leg; it grew so that she is able to walk with her foot on the floor. Other miracles were also documented by doctors as notable and unexplainable (but we knew what really happened.) Nevertheless, soon after the outbreak of miracles, a spirit of offense entered into the hearts of some of the people; they began to speak against one another..., and the miracles were over. 

God created the tongue to speak life, but Satan perverted the heart of man so that we would begin to speak death over ourselves and over others. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. If we can control our tongues, then James tells us that we are perfect and able to control our entire body. Consequently, we must be very careful who we allow to influence our hearts and what we speak through our mouths. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ as believers, we will have to give an account to the Lord for every word we have spoken. 

Are you able to control what comes out your mouth? Are you speaking faith and life? Proverbs tells us that we'll eat the fruit of our words. Guard your heart, so that you don't take up someone else's offense and become a party to sowing discord among the brethren. It's far better for us to take our grievances to the Lord in secret, and then allow Him to deal with the issue, than for us to say something that would bring judgment on us from the Lord. May the Lord help us to speak life always, so that He might be allowed to perform His good Word in our lives and in our situations. Let me leave you today with the priestly blessing that God gave to Moses, Aaron and the children of Israel.

Numbers 6 : 24 - 27, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."' "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." NKJV

Pastor Asa Dockery