I have a bad habit of running my mouth. It isn't wholly a bad habit, it's just that sometimes the wrong things come out of my mouth. I am sure it amounts to a spiritual disease of the tongue. I don't mean to be visceral in all things sacred or otherwise, but that's usually what gets the point across. I can cut people down with the same efficiency and with the same tongue that can build them up. I honestly believe I use my mouth more often than not to build people up. But, I am aware I will never really get it down to perfection. I am a lot more purposeful these days with my tongue. I now realize the real power that is wielded in a few ounces of flesh located in my mouth.
As of late, I've really begun to see just what kind of effect ill placed words can have on those around me, and can have on my life. So I am sharing my shame with you. I am also outwardly confessing my commitment to be as intentional as possible with what comes out of my mouth, as well as what goes into it. Jesus told us that what comes out the mouth defiles the body and not what goes into the mouth. Many of us are preoccupied by what we eat and what we drink, but we really don't think about how what we say affects others. Not only that, the word tells us that life and death are in the tongue, so we can speak life or death to the situations in our own lives through what we say. So as I explore this journey of speaking life with my tongue and not the language of sarcasm and cynicism... I challenge you to do the same. Let me know how it goes for you, and I'll keep you posted. sk
