WAYS TO CONTROL THE TONGUE

Open your mouth and say aahhh! This is what the doctor says to us when he looks in our mouths. And he does this to get a general sense of our health. Did you know the Bible mentions the tongue?

It sure does! It says the way we use our tongues or the way we speak gives a general sense of our health. What? Well, because our tongues have the capability to break relationships. And, it can heal them as well. Therefore, a lot can be determined in the way we speak.

A lot of times, we see the problem in other people much sooner than we see it ourselves. Yet, we have problems as well. Take a look here at what the Bible says about our words.

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:37).

In addition, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).

This tongue is an interesting part of the body. Although it is smaller than most parts of the body, did you know it requires taming? Yes, it does. And, there are three ways to control the tongue.

Basically, our words…

DETERMINES OUR RELATIONSHIPS.

“…the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire. The tongue…defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison”. (Jam. 3:5-6, 8). This tells us we can build relationships with words. And, destroy relationships with words.

In addition, our words also…

DETERMINES OUR MATURITY.

We can go to church for hundreds of years. Yet, if we are not able to control our tongues, our maturity is still in kindergarten. Why? Because our tongue determines our maturity. In other words, our tongue is a barometer.

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1Tim. 4:12). Here, God has placed the word “speech” with conduct, love faith and purity. Therefore, be an example to others by your speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

I hear a pastor tell a story about taking a flight and an announcement came over the speaker while he was waiting for the seating assignment. The announcement stated that the plane for the flight was not there. And that they would need to be re-routed.

Immediately after this announcement a lady stood up quickly and went up to the ticket agent who was Hispanic. The lady was irate and she starting yelling at the ticket agent. She complained about how much money she paid for her ticket and demanded for the plane! As is, the ticket agent responded courteously with, we will re-route you if it’s alright.
Sheesh!!!!

Upset and relentless the lady exclaimed, can’t you see I’m having an anxiety attack! Again the ticket agent was really nice and says to her, do you want me to call 911? Frustrated at this, the lady continued complaining saying; you’re just not feeling anything for me are you? You don’t care, don’t you? And the ticket agent calmly responded with, I’m trying to get you the best connection I can.

Still upset, the lady cried out, you’re not hearing what I’m saying! I’m just feeling terrible! And the nice ticket agent replied if you’ll just settle down it’ll help me get a connection for you.

Yet again the lady demanded for an answer with, why are we late? And although the ticket agent was busy on the computer her response was, if you’ll just be quiet I can go ahead and finish your connection. At that point we were wondering when this lady was going to explode. And she did by yelling, you don’t even understand what I’m saying! And it’s because you don’t even understand English! After hearing this, the ticket agent simply says, I am Hispanic. But I understand you very clearly
Well, as it were this lady kept going on and on.

As you can see, our words do determine our maturity. Although Christians, we too can run into the same problems. It is during those in opportune moments when our emotions get a rise. And then our tongues have no control. Yet, if God is says our tongues and words determine our relationships and maturity, it is important for us to control our tongues,”Be quick to hear, slow to speak and be slow to anger. For the anger of man will not achieve the righteousness of God” (Jam. 1:19).

So how do we control our tongues? It’s real easy. There are three ways. The first is…

THREE WAYS TO CONTROL THE TONGUE

1. SILENCE.

Take a look at what scriptures tell us, “I said, ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle’” (Psm. 39:1). In other words, be quiet.

However, please understand this silence is not moodiness. Nor is it a tantrum. Or marginalizing someone by giving them the silent treatment. It is simply silencing the angry tongue. And this is part of disciplining yourself. No one can do this for you but you.

So before you press enter to an angry email you just typed to someone, wait a day before you send it. Another form of silence would be simple as just taking a walk. Or, going to the bathroom and yelling in the toilet if need be. Please remember that our words will we be justified and by our words we will be condemned. Therefore, it is very important for us to control our tongues.

Here is a quick and simple illustration of what an untamed tongue can do. A man gets yelled at work by his boss. And at the end of the day he goes home and then yells at his wife. And this infection spreads throughout the family because now the wife yells at their son. The son then punches his sister. And the sister then kicks the dog. The dog then bites the cat. And, the cat bites the head off the doll. All in all, it’s a domino effect. So if you get yelled at by your boss, just go home and bite the head off the doll! By doing so, it’ll save everybody!

The second way to control the tongue is to…be continued tomorrow