As written and presented by Mary Whelchel

PROGRAM D-6062

Do you find that often your tongue is out of control? In James 3 we are told that if we can control our tongue, we can control our whole body, our entire personality.

Now, how is that true? Well, in order to control my words, I have to control my thoughts. After all, I say what I think. In order to control my thoughts, I've got to practice Philippians 4:8, which teaches me to think only what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. In order to practice Philippians 4:8, I have to spend time in the Word, time in prayer. I have to be controlled daily by God's Spirit. I have to be others-focused, not self-focused.

So, it's a logical progression: By controlling my tongue I will learn to control all aspects of my life and bring them under the control of God's Spirit.

I told you about a woman I met who said she was a believer, but from her mouth came words of complaining, griping, criticism and self-pity. James says that praise and cursing coming out of the same mouth should not be so.

Your words show what's in your heart. In her heart was bitterness. A 'You better not step on my toes' attitude; or 'I've been cheated'; and 'Poor me.' She'll never change her words until her heart changes.

James goes on to tell us in the third chapter, verse six, that the tongue corrupts the whole person. When you say these kinds of words, they feed back into your mind, reinforcing all the wrong thoughts, and corrupting your mind.

So, how do we control this tongue? Make it a matter of daily prayer. Begin by praying Psalm 141:3: 'Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.' Here are some other verses on words and the tongue to write in your prayer journal and pray into your life daily:

Proverbs 10:21 'The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.' - Lord, may my lips nourish people today.

Psalm 17:3 'Today I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.'

Philippians 4:8 'Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, may I think on these things today.'

I Tim. 4:12 May I set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

James 1:19 Help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Will you get serious about taming your tongue? If so, you can keep your whole body in check. But it has to begin with a strong daily commitment and prayer.

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