James 3:8-11 (esv) --- But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
I have never had my mouth washed out with soap. Have you? You see, in my childhood I watched my two older brothers get in trouble (not too bad), and I learned how not to go there. Does that mean I was perfect and did nothing to get in trouble for? No, it means I made sure my folks didn't find out (confession is good for the soul).
Have you ever been amazed, as I have, by the people who claim to be God's kids and then sound like the Devil's team at various times? I have seen it and heard it and even know it has been true of me. I am not talking about just using bad words. It is anything that tears apart and doesn't please God.
We have to be careful with the stuff that comes out of our mouths. By using 5 words or talking for a couple minutes we may loose a lifetime of trust or turn someone away from God.
Matthew 15:18 (nlt) --- But the words you speak come from the heart—that's what defiles you.
Back to that mouth and soap thing. Do you think God ever wants to wash out of our mouths with soap? My answer is NO. Yet He wants to change us so that our hearts won't come up with the junk that often comes out of our mouths.
Everyone is going to slip, but think about this. It is in your heart, it is going to come out. So, when you slip or hit your thumb with a hammer what comes out of ya is already in ya. All that is happening is a mirror. Kind of like a mirror of the soul. Check it out.
Yesterday we talked about our minds, and really we were talking about heart issues. What we put in our minds or hearts is going to come out of our mouths. That is tough. Here and in closing is a verse I gave you yesterday but from a far different translation:
Phillippians 4:8 (amp) --- For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
God, weigh our hearts and our minds. Guard our mouths. May all that we are and all that we do glorify You even if that means that you intend your divine soap for our mouths...
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