Friday, July 31, 2015

Bridling Our Tongue

To some, speaking profanity and vulgarity is as normal as saying, "Good morning". As profanity and vulgarity increase, sensitivity toward it decreases, so that even many Christians, if not actually using profanity or vulgarity, are not particularly disturbed by it. In fact, many Christians will watch TV programs and movies where vulgarity and profanity is used.

With the flood of foul language used on television, we must be very alert to the speech habits our children pick up. We need to recognize that the filth that comes out of the mouth first fills the heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-36, "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."

What is going into our heart? Several hours of watching television and/or movies each day? Bad thoughts, words or jokes heard at work or school, and immoral lyrics of modern music? Do we know what needs to go into our heart? That which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy should fill our minds according to Philippians 4:8. Our speech should be that which can be used to the edifying of others according to Ephesians 4:29-30.

James 1:26 says, "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." The best way to guard our tongues is to fill our hearts with an abundance of good things. No better information can fill our hearts than that which is found in the pages of the Bible.


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