May the Words of My Mouth...

Daily Reading: Matthew 15

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (Matthew 15.17-19)

Devotional Thought: Jesus is very concerned about the words that come out of our mouths.  The Psalmist was, too: "May the words of my mouth ... be acceptable in your sight, O Lord" (Psalm 19.14).  James joins the chorus: “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness... staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell” (James 3.6).  And “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless” (James 1.26).

The Apostle Paul tells us not only the “why” but also the “how” of controlling our tongues:

·       Why?  "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...” (Ephesians 4.29-30).  Our negative words corrupt ourselves and others and they also grieve the Spirit.  Positive words build up and give grace to those who speak and hear them.

·       So how can we give God control over our tongues?  The answer to that is also found in Ephesians 4.32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  The tongue will be positive when we take a positive attitude toward others, when we forgive because we have been forgiven. 

Today, make the words of your mouth acceptable in God's sight!

Jenny Wade

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, for my failure to control my words.  May my heart be overflowing with your love and grace so that my words are pure.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 90.13-17

13 Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!