Curbing the Tongue
I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will curb my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew to the bursting point. My thoughts grew hot within me and began to burn, igniting a fire of words. . . . Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Psalm 39:1-3, 7-8
Advertisement
David knew the importance of curbing his tongue. Yet even with this knowledge he struggled not to lash out and speak or act in a sinful manner toward those he described as ungodly. How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation? The cutting comeback is on the tip of our tongues. The fiery defense is only a breath away. We fight to keep our words from flying at our enemies. This struggle is natural and, obviously, is nothing new.
So what is the answer? Do we count to ten or take a deep breath? Those aren’t bad ideas, and they can help, but David had an answer that is much more likely to provide success in this battle with our tongues. David put his hope in God and cried out to him, “Rescue me from my rebellion.” And indeed, only God can set us free from the turmoil within us. Only God can rescue us from our own sin.
Prayers:
FATHER, rescue me from my rebellion. I put my hope in you and only in you. Give me the desire and the power to curb my tongue and to control what I say and do. Help me, Lord, to extinguish the anger and to keep silent when the ungodly are around. Keep my angry thoughts from igniting a fire of words. You alone can do this.
Quotes:
THE TONGUE IS THE AMBASSADOR OF THE HEART.
John Lyly (ca. 1554–1606)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Job 12:1–15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13 and Proverbs 21:30-31.
