Name that Tongue....
Today's Reading: Jeremiah 14, 15
Find the Reading Plan here.
For some reason, when we put a name to something, it makes it more alive. More real. More personal.
This week, I have put a name to some of the tongues we use that do not bring life. Not only do they not bring life, but they bring death. Maybe not the physical kind of death, but the spiritual kind of death--which wreaks much more havoc.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
I wanted to call these death-bringing tongues to the light, or they would slither away in the darkness waiting to rear their ugly heads again.
Dramatic sounding, right? You're absolutely right it's dramatic, and that's a huge understatement.
I don't know how much clearer God's Word can get when He tells us "Our tongues have the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit". I mean, that's pretty straight talking right there.
I have created a list of some of the tongues that we use, and have added scripture to aid us in defeating these tongues.
Take a look....
The Lying Tongue:
"The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men that are truthful" Proverbs 12:22
"Better to be poor than a liar" Proverbs 19:22
"Do not lie to each other" Colossians 3:9
This one is a doozie. We cannot walk in righteousness if we bow down the the father of this tongue--satan. John 8:44--"for he is a liar and the father of lies"
The Rude Tongue:
"There will be a highway called the Holy Road, no one rude or rebellious is permitted in this road. It is for God's people exclusively." Isaiah 35:8
The Cynical Tongue:
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the ways of sinners or sit i the seat of mockers." Psalm 1:1 {I pray this psalm every single day--the whole entire Psalm}
A cynical person is a negative person. Always thinking the worst. We were made for more. To believe and know the best. No matter the situation.
The Gossiping Tongue:
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" Proverbs 11:13
We must get this one down, girls! Our lives cannot be marred any longer with gossip. It's ruining the lives of so many around us. We are God's royal daughters....if we cannot be trusted, who can??
The Boasting Tongue:
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouths; someone else, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2
Oh, if you want to learn more about this tongue, read the story of Nebuchaddnezzer in the book of Daniel. Or, read about Haman in the book of Esther. Yikes.
We do NOT, let me repeat: We do NOT want to end up like these dudes.
Boasting, bragging, they are all the same. This one always bring shame as well. A boastful tongue always backfires and turns right back around on our bragging little selves. Let me just assure you, it's always painful.
The Argumentative Tongue:
"Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor, only a fool insists on quarreling."
Proverbs 20:3
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping" Proverbs 29:13 (b)
Let's just say I have had my share of dripping. It's never won a fight for me. Ever.
The Divisive Tongue:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Matthew 5:9
In Proverb Chapter 6, the Lord lists 7 things that He detests. Here is one of them....
"a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" Proverbs 6:19
Basically, a divisive tongue is the opposite of a peaceful tongue.
The Talk-too-much Tongue:
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" Proverbs 10:19
This is pretty self-explanatory.
The Flattering Tongue:
"a flattering mouth works ruin" Proverbs 26:28
"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips" Psalm 12:3
Flattery gets us nowhere. It's true.
The Harsh Tongue:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue" Proverbs 31:26
Perhaps this tongue is a sister to a prideful tongue. We demand our way, and demand others line up with our way.
We will never get anywhere with anyone with a harsh tongue. It's a turn-off with a capitol T.
How do we talk to our children? Our parents? Our siblings? Are we short? Are we impatient? Are we demanding?
A harsh tongue is damaging, and leads a trail of hurt behind us.
The Judgemental Tongue:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged." Matthew 7:1-2
This one makes me cringe. I have been on the giving end of judgement and on the receiving end. Neither places are good.
God has a way of reminding us of those we judge, and bringing it back full circle to us. Are we surprised? We shouldn't be. His word tells us the danger of a judgmental tongue.
This one is tricky. It can disguise itself as "discerning". Make no mistake, judgment and discernment are not the same. Judgement comes from the flesh, discernment comes from the Lord.
I don't want to end this week on a downer...so, here is our Fun Friday challenge!
Speak LIFE today! Speak it ALL DAY LONG! No matter how you feel, speak LIFE anyway !
Be kind, encouraging, loving, listening, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, joyful, kind.....
Speak LIFE!
My good friend called this week and said this song, "Speak Life" by Toby Mac, was her new theme song. Take a listen, girls.
Declare today and everyday LIFE-Giving Tongue Day!!
See you Monday!
speaking LIFE,
jill
Find the Reading Plan here.
For some reason, when we put a name to something, it makes it more alive. More real. More personal.
This week, I have put a name to some of the tongues we use that do not bring life. Not only do they not bring life, but they bring death. Maybe not the physical kind of death, but the spiritual kind of death--which wreaks much more havoc.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
I wanted to call these death-bringing tongues to the light, or they would slither away in the darkness waiting to rear their ugly heads again.
Dramatic sounding, right? You're absolutely right it's dramatic, and that's a huge understatement.
I don't know how much clearer God's Word can get when He tells us "Our tongues have the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit". I mean, that's pretty straight talking right there.
I have created a list of some of the tongues that we use, and have added scripture to aid us in defeating these tongues.
Take a look....
The Lying Tongue:
"The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men that are truthful" Proverbs 12:22
"Better to be poor than a liar" Proverbs 19:22
"Do not lie to each other" Colossians 3:9
This one is a doozie. We cannot walk in righteousness if we bow down the the father of this tongue--satan. John 8:44--"for he is a liar and the father of lies"
The Rude Tongue:
"There will be a highway called the Holy Road, no one rude or rebellious is permitted in this road. It is for God's people exclusively." Isaiah 35:8
The Cynical Tongue:
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the ways of sinners or sit i the seat of mockers." Psalm 1:1 {I pray this psalm every single day--the whole entire Psalm}
A cynical person is a negative person. Always thinking the worst. We were made for more. To believe and know the best. No matter the situation.
The Gossiping Tongue:
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" Proverbs 11:13
We must get this one down, girls! Our lives cannot be marred any longer with gossip. It's ruining the lives of so many around us. We are God's royal daughters....if we cannot be trusted, who can??
The Boasting Tongue:
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouths; someone else, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2
Oh, if you want to learn more about this tongue, read the story of Nebuchaddnezzer in the book of Daniel. Or, read about Haman in the book of Esther. Yikes.
We do NOT, let me repeat: We do NOT want to end up like these dudes.
Boasting, bragging, they are all the same. This one always bring shame as well. A boastful tongue always backfires and turns right back around on our bragging little selves. Let me just assure you, it's always painful.
The Argumentative Tongue:
"Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor, only a fool insists on quarreling."
Proverbs 20:3
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping" Proverbs 29:13 (b)
Let's just say I have had my share of dripping. It's never won a fight for me. Ever.
The Divisive Tongue:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Matthew 5:9
In Proverb Chapter 6, the Lord lists 7 things that He detests. Here is one of them....
"a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" Proverbs 6:19
Basically, a divisive tongue is the opposite of a peaceful tongue.
The Talk-too-much Tongue:
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" Proverbs 10:19
This is pretty self-explanatory.
The Flattering Tongue:
"a flattering mouth works ruin" Proverbs 26:28
"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips" Psalm 12:3
Flattery gets us nowhere. It's true.
The Harsh Tongue:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue" Proverbs 31:26
Perhaps this tongue is a sister to a prideful tongue. We demand our way, and demand others line up with our way.
We will never get anywhere with anyone with a harsh tongue. It's a turn-off with a capitol T.
How do we talk to our children? Our parents? Our siblings? Are we short? Are we impatient? Are we demanding?
A harsh tongue is damaging, and leads a trail of hurt behind us.
The Judgemental Tongue:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged." Matthew 7:1-2
This one makes me cringe. I have been on the giving end of judgement and on the receiving end. Neither places are good.
God has a way of reminding us of those we judge, and bringing it back full circle to us. Are we surprised? We shouldn't be. His word tells us the danger of a judgmental tongue.
This one is tricky. It can disguise itself as "discerning". Make no mistake, judgment and discernment are not the same. Judgement comes from the flesh, discernment comes from the Lord.
I don't want to end this week on a downer...so, here is our Fun Friday challenge!
Speak LIFE today! Speak it ALL DAY LONG! No matter how you feel, speak LIFE anyway !
Be kind, encouraging, loving, listening, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, joyful, kind.....
Speak LIFE!
My good friend called this week and said this song, "Speak Life" by Toby Mac, was her new theme song. Take a listen, girls.
Declare today and everyday LIFE-Giving Tongue Day!!
See you Monday!
speaking LIFE,
jill
