Opening our mouths and uttering a few simple words really do not take much these days. Randomly referring to another human being as stupid is done almost every time, often without even an ounce of guilt pinching our conscience.
That’s the extent to which the power of the tongue has been underestimated. Sincerely, nobody is a saint in this area, we’ve all fallen victim in one way or the other. I believe the main thing which has been lacking is consciousness. The consciousness of simple empty words, because that’s just how we take it, but today I am hoping for a change, hoping for a shift in our mindsets concerning taming our tongues as we all read these ensuing words.
Below is a list of ways on how we could go about being better in this area.
1. Feed your Mind with the Right Kind of Information
We are actually talking about words coming out of our mouths. “What has the mind got to do with that?” is the question you might ask. Well, Words don’t just fall down from the sky, there is a store within which they are kept and brewed. That store is the mind. Before you ever spoke the words ‘I love you’ or ‘Do you need my help’ to someone, they, first of all, started in your mind. This is the big picture most people fail to see. In order to pull down a tree, you need not only to cut off its branches but to the dig out its roots as well. The same logic can be applied to words and thoughts. They are Inseparable.
Get the simple equation. Thinking the right thoughts is equal to speaking the right words.
So then, what are the right thoughts, Philippians 4:8 explains it best.
In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise, things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honourable
These right thoughts come from meditation, which can never be overemphasized. So, seek God’s word.
2. Never Be in a Haste to Speak
Work on nurturing the virtue of being quick to listen and slow to speak.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful to build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Biting your tongue and keeping your self from uttering those words for just one more second or minute will prevent the awful situation of a quarrel sparking up. Learn to think before you speak. Weigh your words and ask yourself if what you are about to say falls into the category of being helpful or hurtful. If it’s the latter, let it go, such words ain’t worth being heard. They will probably only hurt and leave scars on the person it is being spoken to.
3. Partner with the Holy Spirit
As much as we want to tame our tongues and become better. We actually can’t do this on our own. Why? Because it’s not based on willpower or fleshy zeal alone. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He has been called to be our helper so seeking out his intervention in such a situation is no exception.
You could start it off with a simple prayer asking him to help you out. Another tip which I think could help you go a long way is to memorise a verse referring to the subject at hand and constantly remind yourself of it. Trust me, it works.
4. Hold on to Awareness
Just imagine how hilarious it will be to dig a pit, expect someone else to fall into it, and then fall into it yourself. Well, there might be a smile on your face right now but that’s the exact kind of scenario we set ourselves into when we allow the devil to push us into speaking negatively. Saying things like ‘I’m so stupid, I will never get this right oh, Why I’m I so slow, all my friends are getting ahead of me, are unknowingly harmful. It’s like sowing a seed of self-destruction.
The funny thing is that when it’s time to reap, we blame the devil, completely ignorant of the fact that it is simply us facing the consequences of what we had spoken into reality. Whether you know it or not, words are very powerful, that is why it’s important for us to be fully aware of the words we are composing in our minds before ever they are uttered.
The truth is that I am not a guru at this. I am on the same journey as you. But I hope the few guidelines mentioned above have been helpful in one way or another. As I had mentioned earlier, it’s not going to be easy but believe me, as long as you are ready to walk this walk, God will see you through.
I hope this encourages you to use your tongue wisely. Do leave a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to not miss a post.
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