Do you love life? Do you want to see many good days? Well, here is the recipe for just that.
I am impressed by how many times the Bible tells us about the use of our words. It seems there is no end to the verses that either teach us about not saying bad things or that teach us to use right words. It makes me think that God has always had a hard time getting this across to people. Think about it. The Old Testament represents thousands of years of teaching and prophet after prophet. Then along come the New Testament teachers and they begin to preach the same message. It is as if God has continually sent this message to us and we still don’t “get it.” And I guess that is true. I know in my own life getting my own language right is a challenge.
As for this scripture, I think the message is pretty simple. The command to quit lying is loud and clear “Oh, I don’t lie,” you might say. Good, but are you 100% sure? We live in a society that makes fabrication permissible, even accepted.
How about this one? Do you find we sometimes tell stories in a way that casts the most favorable light on us, but which may not be entirely accurate? Did that story really need a little reconstruction? Or is poor self-esteem the culprit which causes us to recast the telling? Whatever the cause, God is extremely clear in this passage that it is bad seed, and no one needs or wants bad seed sown in one’s life. It does not lead to good life, good days or length of days. God really doesn’t discriminate between little lies and big lies either. To Him they are all the same. They are false and because He is truth the two are mutually incompatible.
What about the phrase above that says to keep your tongue from evil? Besides lying, what could He be talking about here? Start with gossiping. There is nothing good or holy about gossiping. It is not of God. I know how difficult it can be, but God didn’t tell us that it was okay under difficult situations. He just said don’t do it. There is nothing edifying about gossip. As a matter of fact, the whole purpose of it is to tear someone down. Do you think that is what God has called us to, to tear people down? Don’t you think those people are down enough already? They need someone to lift them up rather than tear them down. Where do you expect God to stand on gossip?
Other forms of evil speech are telling off color jokes. Again, are we building people up or tearing them down? Who is the butt of that joke? Does it edify that person or group? Of course not. What about speech which is sexist or racist? One might like to argue that there is not a victim in this language but we who are Christians should know better. First, the person engaged in such speech is the first victim (read the verse above). Secondly, if you understand that words have power and that through speech God created the entire universe, then you begin to understand that there are no words which are powerless. Therefore, when any of us speaks uncomplimentary words about other people, we are unleashing negativity into our culture. And third, the people hearing derogatory speech are victims. Even if they nod assent, even if they laugh, they are not better off for having heard defamatory and ugly words. They may agree and maybe they don’t but either way it does not help them to become better people or better Christians.
Guard yourself from all deception. That includes lying to your kids and little white lies. Just don’t lie! It is that simple. And keep your lips from all ugly words. If you wouldn’t say it to Mother Teresa or your pastor, then it probably should not be said. And remember, Jesus does hear everything you say. If you wouldn’t say it to his face, then maybe you don’t want to say it at all.
Look, the reason the Lord has had to remind us over and over again to get the words of our mouth in shipshape is because it is hard. He has given us this passage to show us that our words impact our quality of life. Let’s all commit ourselves to watching our speech and getting control over our lips. I will pray for you, and you can pray for me. Together, and with Christ, we can overcome even this challenge.
One Response
I appreciate your prayers for me on this! I was just telling the Lord this morning how much I appreciate His patience and mercy with me when He’s had to repeat things to me over and over.