4:251 – Hold Your Tongue

#faithbites #faithjourney tongue

Setting

I like to talk…A LOT. One of my favorite things is to get into intellectual, political, and religious debates/discussions will people. I find it stimulating and it helps me learn. What I’m finding more and more is that most people don’t want to debate or discuss, they want to share their opinion and try to force it on you. There is no ground for discussion and growth. Lately, I’ve found myself holding my proverbial tongue on more than one occasion. Either I don’t discuss, don’t post, or remove my posts when I find out it’s not going to be productive. You can’t debate with someone who isn’t open to debate. You also can’t win an emotional argument with logic.

God tells us that silence is needed at times and when people aren’t listening or ready, there are others. Our job is to determine the best timing.

Today’s Questions: How do you hold your tongue? When do you speak or not? What is your system or deciding when the engage, when not to, and when to withdraw?

Scripture:

• Matthew 12:34-27 – “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
• Psalm 34:12 – keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

Reflection

Our words have power. They impact everything we do. Do you want to be seen as a Viper or as someone with love in their heart? Matthew shows us that good brings good and evil brings up evil. We need to realize that whatever we do today, will be shown to us on judgement day. Are your words what you want God to judge you on? The hard thing is it goes beyond that. We may think we are being good but in fact, being hurtful. Sometimes we think that hurt is just growth or is it something more? Are we trying to win at all costs or should we just hold our tongues? Sometimes it’s not the message but we are the wrong messenger. This is another reason to hold our tongues.

As we close, we need to seek God and ask Him for discernment. We need to look not only at winning or trying to force someone to believe what we do but also to meet them where they are. This doesn’t mean agree with them but starting from where they are it’s a great place. There are also times when we need to withdraw. It’s ok to realize you aren’t the right messenger for this person or people at this time . God will still serve them with another.

Prayer

Dear God, we ask you to help us hold our tongues when appropriate and speak when needed. We know you want us to share your word and be strong in you. Help us know when we should engage, when we should listen, and when we should pull back. When we engage, give us the right words to help sway the hearts of those we are working with. Let us be friends and leaders, not warriors looking for a victory. This is a challenge and we ask all of this in your name, Amen.