Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death.
Proverbs 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
James 3:5-6
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.
James 3:9
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
That sweet and quiet woman that you see at the grocery store or church, the one who is soft-spoken and meek, the one who never says anything bad about anyone else – well, that woman ISN’T me. It seems to be the lesson I am learning lately. I need to THINK before I speak. God wants me to reflect His character when I open my mouth. I want my words to reflect my life in Him.
It seems that it is a more pronounced struggle for those of us with an extroverted personality. I thrive off my interaction with others. I find I have more energy when I surround myself with others, and I am just naturally a social being. Oh yeah, and I am a woman. So of course I like to talk! About everything!
This can be a very useful personality trait. I find it easy to build relationships. God can use my talking to spread His Word and His love. I know my local Kroger cashiers by name, etc., etc. But unfortunately, this trait also results in my fight against urges to talk negatively about others when I am upset at them, or forcing MY opinion in a conflict, or dominating conversation with talk about little ole’ self-centered me. Who doesn't like to talk about themselves? Um....maybe someone who is more concerned about others. So in recent lessons I've learned a new way I want to grow: to become more intentional at using my words to lift up others and lessen my use of words for self-gratification.
If you are one of my dear friends reading this and you have had to deal with that negative side of my personality, please take this as my formal apology. I am a work in progress. As one of my favorite John Mayer lines goes, “I’m in repaaaaaairrrr; I’m not together, but I’m getting theeeerrrrrre.”
Who knows, maybe one day I will be one who is often quiet and always sweet, positive, and encouraging. I can’t do it, but He who is in me sure can!
Psalm 126:2
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psalm 139:4
Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
Romans 14:11
It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
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