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The First Word

Everyone Welcomed

Pastor's Monthly Pen

February

     Since my boating accident, I have been having problems with my words - it's as if my brain has developed a stutter.  It causes me to have to think about the words I'm trying to say.  But when I think about it, maybe that's not a problem but a blessing.  Division is becoming more and more common in our society, anything wrong, especially when we are talking with someone from another culture.  But usually, we realize what we said and immediately regret it.  So, I thought I'd find some bible scriptures to help us out.  Bible verses about being careful about what you say and through our speech, honoring God and those around us.

     If we start by looking at Galatians 5:22-23, we see a powerful message about what it looks like when we live Spirit-driven lives.  The verses read: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Unfortunately, division has led some of us to abandon love, gentleness, self-control, goodness - well perhaps the entire list - in the way we speak, tweet and Facebook at those who disagree with us.

     So, what does the Bible say about how we should be communicating?  James 3:5-6: "The tongue isa small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."  This scripture explains how damaging our mouths can be, specifically when unleashed and unrestrained.  We can create a "world of evil" when we don't speak with love, kindness and goodness.  And, in the end, that can truly corrupt and damage us, not just our verbal victims.

     Proverbs 21:23: "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity."  This is one of the simplest Bible verses about being careful what you say.  At the end of the day, if we guard our mouths -- which starts by guarding out hearts and living out Galatians 5 -- we can protect ourselves from calamity.  That's a pretty stunning and powerful reminder! 

     1 Peter 3:10-12: "For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.  They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."  Part of having self-control and living out the Fruit of the Spirit is keeping our tongues from evil and deceitful speech.  We are called to turn from evil, and this includes how we speak with those around us.  We must consider this Bible verse about what we say, especially as we interact with those with whom we disagree.

     Lastly, Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your months, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Sometimes, we simply want to win battles, but in doing so we often forget that we are supposed to be building others up.

       I hope this list of bible verses about the tongue inspires us to think deeper, pray harder, and love more.

                    See ya’ Sunday, and every day – on the internet owww.facebook.com/timthepastor.

                                                                  All glory and honor to God. Peace and blessings

                                                          Tim

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