12/07/08

Get a hold of your tongue

Sirach 5:11 [Apocrypha] - Be quick to hear, and be deliberate in answering.

The tongue is one part of our body that does not have a bone therefore becomes an excuse for misuse. For people without wisdom it is the most difficult thing to take control of. Like I put in my previous mail even if we do lots of good work and sacrifice everything we have, but if we do not control our tongue, it can become a snare for our salvation. Speaking is not bad but the speaking for the sake of speaking, or if it does not build someone is best avoided. The son of Sirach in the book Sirach advices us to 'be quick to hear'; to hear does not mean to listen. We should us wisdom on the words spoken and if they help us in building us then only they should be listened to, else just ignored. When speaking we should be sure that whatever we speak is necessary.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, help me control me tongue, give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep shut. Forgive me Lord for my idol words and harsh words spoken without thought. This prayer I make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]

Proverbs 13:3
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 6:12-15
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 14:3
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Proverbs 21:23
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 4:24
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Sirach 5:9-13 [Apocrypha]
9 Do not winnow with every wind, nor follow every path: the double-tongued sinner does that.
10 Be steadfast in your understanding, and let your speech be consistent.
11 Be quick to hear, and be deliberate in answering.
12 If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand on your mouth.
13 Glory and dishonor come from speaking, and a man's tongue is his downfall.

Proverbs 8:13
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 10:31
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)