Psalm 39:1

 Thought for the Week

 

Psalm 39:1--I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard  my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence." (NASB)

 

What great advice this is for all men, especially for every child of God. We live in a world of words and should understand that the words we choose to use can build up or they can destroy. Words spoken can bind us closer together or they can put a great divide between us. Words spoken can change our whole way of living.

 

A word spoken naturally and relative to the circumstance at hand has the power to bring into someone's life a measure of encouragement that will lift their spirit. They may be words that will inspire that individual to greater heights of service to the Lord or they may be just what is needed to bring comfort and peace to a troubled soul. So much depends on the right word, spoken at the right time in the right way. Hear Solomon as he says, "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances." Never under estimate the power of the spoken word!

 

There is a world of iniquity in the tongue that is not muzzled (James 3:5-12). Often times the best policy to follow is to keep the mouth shut. I recently saw a post that said, "Just because it pops into my head does not mean it should come out of my mouth."  Know this, our speech is an index of our heart so choose carefully the words that proceed from the mouth (Luke 6:45).

 

Words that cross our lips that are compassionate, kind, courteous, pleasant and merciful imply everything that is good, honorable, true and uplifting. These words are opposed to those that are corrupt foul language, words that are filled with deceit and lies, words of anger and hatred along with those words expressing a strong insulting expressions about others that constitute evil speaking 1 Peter 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:25-32; Psalms 34:13).

 

We can make life so much happier for ourselves as well as for others if we will only speak words that are always with grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).

 

One last word of advice from Solomon: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble."

 

Charles Hicks