Watch Your Tongue- Are Your Words And Behavior Christ-Like?

Do you remember to watch your tongue? God has given us the ultimate means of communication, but as Brad says “one’s body, one’s person, one’s inner core, can be revealed, and defiled by their words, their tongue.”

Peter Denies Jesus

There are many ways we as humans communicate. Communication has been central to our existence, since God placed the first man Adam, in the garden. Without speaking a word, through signs, gestures, the clearing of our throat, the hard roll of an eye, we can convey to others a simple thought, or a complex state of emotion.

Remember when Jesus was led into the courtyard of the high priests house; where a crowd had gathered Peter was there, in the shadow, in the background. It says as a fire was kindled in the midst of the crowd; and Peter sat with them. Upon being called out as one who was a follower, Peter displayed the sad characteristics of human weakness denying the LORD. And we know that in a span of moments, he would deny Jesus not once, but 3 times. The Lord had told Peter it would happen. After the 3rd denial, Lukes gospel records that

the rooster crowed. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And PETER went out and wept bitterly.

It was just a LOOK from Jesus, but it spoke volumes to Peter. It was a look that conveyed more angst than we may ever know this side of heaven.

hopestreamradio · Rancid Mouth

Watch Your Tongue

It’s true, we can intimate much with our eyes, the lamp of our body. We can suggest and imply many things, with body language. But God has given us the ultimate means of communication, with that member we know oh too well, the tongue. The bible speaks much of it.

The Psalmist knew of it’s potential danger

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Solomon says: A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

We know the book of James gives much instruction on bridling that unruly member,

and the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and settethon fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

A Surprising Encounter

I was reminded of how one’s body, one’s person, one’s inner core, can be revealed, and defiled by their words, their tongue. I was working recently in a seniors apartment building, back and forth from various common rooms throughout the building. Typically, the conversation among seniors I encounter revolves around the weather, and their health, their family. Jigsaw puzzles are being assembled, and newspaper pages are fluttering throughout conversation.

I was really surprised to catch in my ear, from down the hallway, the sounds of a very agitated voice, speaking in loud tones, using strings of the worst words we possess in the English language.

And the language was coming from a lady in her mid-70’s. As her rant continued, it was clear she was not in a hand to hand combat situation, but was venting to one of her hallway neighbors, about some recent upset that had seemingly put her over the edge. On and on she went. It was so “unbecoming” of the stereotypical sweet old lady, someone you might envision as a kind and gentle grandmother. I didn’t know her from Adam the saying goes, but in those 30 seconds, she wasdisplaying who she was at the core, clearly defiling her whole body, her tongue in those moments the epitome of an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Christ-like Behaviour

But Jesus promises rest, and deliverance from all our burdens, all our venomous sins…oh that we cast our burdens upon him, for he is meek and lowly, and we find rest unto our souls.

Many of us, aren’t exposed often to the sights, and sounds of vulgar, blatant, visible sin. It’s true, we encounter sin daily, much of the time as a result of our own sin which can creep in, occupying our thoughts and actions. But as Christians, we know he is always there, that we might be strengthened, equipped with that armor again to withstand the wiles of the devil. All sin, should serve as a stark reminder of the darkness we’ve been brought out of, into fellowship with God, and into a place of light, and life.

Matthew’s Gospel is such a confirmation of what Christ-like behavior should look like. It contrasts so completely, the sinful and blatantly wrong approach this lady was displaying, with the approach from a heart filled with God’s grace.

We’re told to LOVE our enemies. Bless those that curse us. Do good unto those that hate us. Pray for those that despitefully use us and persecute us.

LOVE, BLESS, DO GOOD, PRAY….vs CURSE, HATE, DESPITEFULLY USE, PERSECUTE.

The sinful world itself desires love, and relief from pain, it desires blessing. BUT without GOD, without the spirit indwelling, the ability to love, bless and do good, is often replaced with retaliatory behavior…to hate, curse, and persecute…

Let’s Be Mindful Of Our Tongues

As followers of Christ, we’ve all experienced the beauty that comes from realizing, in and of ourselves we can do nothing, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Apart from trying to edge my way down the hall, and butt into the conversation, I didn’t sense an opening, as to “speaking a word in season”. Sometimes we can add fuel to an already intense fire. I’ve prayed for the lady, and I’m trusting that God might yet provide an opportunity in that building of meeting up with her. A moment to share, to talk with her about the one that she can cast her cares upon, that she might find rest unto her soul. Ultimately, that is really what she’s crying out for.

That day I was vividly reminded, of how the unsaved often show their defilement with their rancid tongue. Let us be mindful as well, of our tongues.

James says to us as believers :

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.

Lets end with a Psalm:

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing.

How do you manage to keep your tongue in check?” We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

Brad Hewey

Brad offers up practical, scriptural advice from a perspective borne out of everyday life encounters. As we live and move and have our being…it’s the individual life lessons that most often present the greatest challenges, but can yield the richest blessings. We’ve all, as Christians had those faith-affirming moments, where we’ve had an overwhelming sense of God’s spirit, or his very presence “at a particular but, maybe random time”.

Brad was born and still resides in a small community in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where he and his wife Karen raised their 3 children. Brad & Karen fellowship at the Greenland Bible Chapel, where Brad serves as an elder.

Brad loves meeting and engaging with people. His background in sales has provided opportunities to travel throughout the US and Canada, networking with people from all walks of life. Brad is a singer/songwriter and has recorded 3 Christian albums. Songs from his “Brighter Day” release, have aired on Christian Radio stations across Canada and two of Brad’s albums are on HopeStreamRadio’s playlist.