By Emilie Gruben.
Every other month or so, I have had to have my braces readjusted. Elastic woven here, wire trimmed there, rubber bands put here. A whole new process and form of habit. A lot of rigmarole for a nice, even smile. Money, time, and pain all invested for months and months, just to look nice and offer a little bit of comfort. After the readjustments, I am always wary of eating and sleeping. Everything hurts to chew, and different temperatures cause odd pains and frustrations. Sleeping is a problem because I lock my jaw when asleep. I wake up with a sore jaw and even more sore teeth. I realize just how much thought I have for what is put into my mouth.
After the adjustments, I think twice about what I am doing. Singing, talking, eating-just resting my jaw! So much thinking over my mouth and what is in it. Yet, I never seem to give the same attention and responsibility to what comes out of it.
I say horrible things that dishonor God, hurt others, spread deceit, and cultivate anger without a second of thought. I slice into hearts and pierce honesty all by my words. I don’t even think about it, the words just come out as if I don’t have to form them. That is how quick we are to kill with an ungoverned tongue. Only after we taste something bad, or have something painful in our mouths do we register a severity and understanding of what is good and bad to our senses. This is the same way with our words. More often than not, after we have hurt someone with our words, or been reprimanded by another’s, do we see a need for change.
A well governed tongue keeps us from trouble. Proverbs 21:23, reads “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” Straight to the point. Psalm 52:2 reads “Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully”. Likewise, we read more in Job 15:5. “For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the tongue of the crafty.”
Each of these passages so bluntly tells of the power our tongue holds. The power to trouble, deceit, and destruction. We see the consequences of an unhindered tongue, yet it is not so nearly as easy to fix it after reading a few verses. But the verses are our first step to a peaceful walk. The verses give grounding and conviction.
We are not only to pursue clean mouths for our own gain, to keep us from trouble and destruction that will impact our own lives, but for others, as well. How have we seen someone’s words cause unfavorable actions to be made, in the Bible? I can think of one, quite quickly. The first was Zecheriah, openly voicing his unbelief when the angel told of his elderly wife’s coming conception. What happened? His very ability to speak was taken away until the baby was born. Now, his words weren’t the sin, in itself. No. The thoughts and doubt in Zechariah’s heart was the sin, sewn. Like all of us, our words are not the problem. The problems are our thoughts, led to grow against our outright knowledge of the evil we allow to live within us. The problems that find their way out of our mouths should not be surprising, as we have already allowed ourselves to think the way we speak.
As humans born sinful, by nature, we will hold anger, doubt, and wrongdoings as our first nature.The only “good” within us, is not our own. If we are believers in the saving grace of Jesus, then the good in us is Christ, Himself. In this way, we have no excuse for our sins. Sin will always happen. It can be avoided at all costs, but we are not perfect. Our shortcomings will always separate us from God’s perfection (Rom. 3:23). In this way, we cannot normalize our sin, nor can we “wallow in the despair” that we will never be “good enough,” or good, in general. Afterall, our recognition of our sin is why we come to Christ, first. Romans 12:2 reminds us of this transformation in Christ, and how it impacts our mind and thoughts. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Our Christ-centered thoughts are necessary for not only ourselves, but for others. Our words and thoughts never just impact one person. As Christians, we are to represent Christ. If you were to wear a soccer jersey, then you represent the team you play for; the sport you play; the rules written; the standards for excellence known to all who see you. Our salvation must be worn the same way, but to a higher degree. The highest known in this world. Our Savior died for our sins. Shouldn’t our mere words reflect that? When we govern our tongue, we set ourselves apart from billions who speak the same language. We purify our hearts and minds to keep our thoughts clean. Pr. 10:19 reads “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
James 1:26 reads “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Our salvation is not religion. Anyone can be religious. “To religiously do something.” Anyone can vow to not swear, or to not indulge in vulgar words and jokes. You can find the kindest people in the world, who rarely speak wrongfully, only to discover that they do not care about God, at all. Christianity is a religion. It is the only true religion. But following the commandments of Christ with a good and honest wish to serve Him, alone, is not simply “being religious.” We will always fall short of God’s perfect standard. But we are no less His own when we fail. We have not lost our “religion” or become less in the eyes of Christ. But we must always be doing our best for God’s glory. Not for our own gain, the peace of others, or for the sake of doing good because it is expected.
Lastly, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29
Pursue to renew your thoughts and mind with goodness. But seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. When we put on Christ, we are His own. We have the conviction and the desire to do His will. It begins within and then continues outward.
Note: Proverbs 12 is an excellent passage for this subject.
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