In my previous post, I talked about the power of words and how they can impact someone’s life. In this post, I will give you some practical things that can help you watch your words, eliminate corrupting talk from your mouth, and replace it with life-giving words.
It is crucial to tame the tongue and watch what we say. I have always tried my best to control my tongue, but it is not easy. The Bible says no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). But I believe the following steps can help us.
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3
1. Avoid speaking in anger
Know this, my beloved brethren, let every person be quck to hear, slow to speak and slow amger.
James 1:19
There is something about anger that looses one’s tongue. It is effortless to say unkind and even cruel things in a moment of rage. I have been guilty of that, and there is so much an apology can do. Therefore, when you get angry at someone, try to walk away. Stay by yourself until you cool down or get a grip on your tongue. During that time, talk to God and process your feelings with Him.
2. Keep it clean
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
Remove all kinds of corrupting talk like swearing, sarcasm, gossip, crude jokes, etc. from your speech. They may seem harmless on the surface, but they are not. They are not beneficial to anyone, and sometimes, can be hurtful. Only speak uplifting, edifying and encouraging words.
3. Say nothing
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19
There is an old saying which goes “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Sometimes the best thing to do is to keep quiet. You don’t have to say everything you think. Once your words are out, you can’t take them back.
4. Control your thoughts
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Our words are the results of our thoughts. What we think about dictate what will we say. Consequently, you also need to watch what you think in order to watch your words. Our mind is not a sanctuary for sin to roam free, but a battlefield where we are to take every thought captive to the will of Christ.
5. Guard your heart
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
If we want to speak good things, we need our heart to be full of it. As James said, no spring can yield both salt water and fresh water (James 3:11-12). Therefore, watch what you let inside of you. This includes music, movies, tv shows, conversations, etc. We are what we listen to, and I have personally seen this play out in my life.
There was a time when I watched tv shows that had a lot of swearing, sarcasm, and trash talk. Over time I noticed that I started talking and thinking like the characters in the show. I started swearing, became sarcastic and easily insulted people. Since I didn’t guard my heart, anything got in, and from the overflow of my heart, I spoke.
6. Fill your heart with the word of God
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11
The word of God is good, pure, and holy. Reading your Bible consistently and filling yourself up with it is the best way to control your tongue and say gracious words. When I started reading the Bible and meditating on verses, I noticed that my thoughts changed. Which consequently, changed how I spoke to others. Even the way I talked to God changed after reading through the book of Psalms. Don’t just read the Bible, but meditate on it, memorize it, hide it deep inside your heart and let it become part of you.
7. Pray without ceasing
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
The most important step of all is praying. Only God can give you the power to tame your tongue and restrain your lips. Every other step to watch
I am not perfect, no one is, but thankfully God calls us to a life of progression and not perfection. I know sometimes I have failed to keep my lips from uttering unkind words. It mostly happened when I have not been filling myself up with the living Word. I cannot pour from an empty cup.
Therefore friend, if you want to watch your words, and speak words of faith, hope, and love; you need to stay connected to the author and finisher of your faith, your assured and perfect hope, your first and eternal love, Jesus, the Word who became flesh.
