Ephesians 4:29-30 (NET) You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Before Dara accepted the Lord Jesus, he didn’t really feel any remorse or hindrance in his heart to committing sins. His conscience had been seared and he had lost all inhibition to sinning. But after receiving the Lord Jesus and being baptized in the Holy Spirit, he realized that his conscience became sensitive again. This sensitivity helped him to overcome many of the temptations that sought to take him back to his former way of life. He had a new nature within that repelled that way of life.
One thing that he found most difficult to control though was his tongue. He saw that it was easy for unwholesome words to still come out of his mouth. It didn’t take long for him to utter a certain four-letter curse word and others like it. He still flared up and said hurtful things when he was offended. Because his conscience was now alive by the indwelling Holy Spirit, he knew the Holy Spirit was grieved when unwholesome words came out of his mouth.
From the book of James, we can see that the most difficult part of the body to control is the tongue, and if a person can control his tongue, he is a perfect man (see James 3:2). A man may have gained mastery to the point that he no longer walks in any other works of the flesh that had bedeviled him all his life, but he may find that controlling his tongue is a little more difficult.
Many believers don’t commit any known or bogus sins, but their words are not seasoned with salt and can pierce and really hurt (beyond proportion) when they are offended. Sharp words that damage can easily come out of their mouths when they’re offended.
We see that the Lord Jesus who is our perfect example did not open his mouth [to curse or utter harsh words] when he was oppressed and afflicted (see Isaiah 53:7). This is a cue for us. When you are really hurt and offended, it is better to keep quiet at that point because if you don’t, you may not be able to control your tongue and you may say things that you shouldn’t say. Deal first with the anger and hurt in your heart in the place of prayer before speaking about a matter that has hurt you.
Go into today determined to be deliberate in the use of your tongue. Let thanksgiving, the praises of God, and His words fill your tongue from when you wake up in the morning. Confess the word of God regularly with your tongue and let it wash out every vestige of bitterness and corruption (see Ephesians 5:26).
Prayer: Lord, help me control my tongue and use it only for your praise and glory. Amen.
—Abraham Damilola Arigi
Bible in 1 Year: Numbers 29-32
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