Tempest—A violent windstorm, frequently accompanied by rain, snow, or hail. Furious agitation, commotion, or tumult.
We all deal with our share of tempests in life. But did you know that one of the biggest tempests you will ever face exists in your mouth?
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26 NIV).
Do you need to control your tongue? We all have our moments when we say things without thinking. Even as we are saying it, we know it’s wrong. Controlling your tongue is like harnessing a tempest. Short of taping our mouths shut (or wearing muzzles), it can seem impossible to control what we say sometimes.
When we are saved, we become a work in progress. God is doing a work in us, and He warns us about controlling our tongues.
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value (Proverbs 10:18–20 NIV).
The more we read His Word, the easier it will be to control our tongues.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:6 NIV).
This verse compares the tongue to fire. A corrupt mouth can spread like a wildfire. It can easily get out of control, and many could be hurt.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be (James 3:10 NIV).
We have a choice to either allow blessings to come out of our mouths or cursing. We shouldn’t do both. Even when we come up against an adversary that pushes our buttons. We have to stand strong and not let the tempest control us.
I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence (Psalm 39:1 NIV).
I have to put a muzzle on my dog sometimes to control his barking or to keep him from biting. He hates it, and well he should. No one wants to be forced into submission. But sometimes it’s necessary, for our own good.
So, stand strong and keep that muzzle handy. Control that tempest.
Debbie Mitchell