We all have those days. Those days when we open our mouth and out spews all the frustrations, irritations, and maybe anger from the day and we just can’t. make. it. stop. And those words, those mean-spirited, hateful words, can be pointed at the people we love the most. The people who love us the most. The people who look up to us and idolize us. Our kids.
Proverbs says “a gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit”.
I see it in their eyes when I snap about something inconsequential. I see it in their actions when they snap hatefully at each other. The hurt. The broken spirit. The learning of a habit that will curse those around them.
How can we teach our kids the love of God if they don’t see it in us? John 13:35 says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 12:34 says “…for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” This is a heart issue, y’all, not a tongue issue. This is bubbling out of our hearts and spewing forth out of our mouths.
This is a heart issue, y’all, not a tongue issue
It’s said that they tongue is the strongest muscle in the body.Whether that’s a fact or a myth, the tongue is definitely the most powerful muscle in the body. So, how do we tame it? How do we control this small muscle that wields so much power it can slay even the toughest opponent without even picking up a sword; this muscle that can bring blessings and life or curses and death? Is it possible?
Gods word says it is. Let’s see what the bible says about controlling the tongue and let it encourage you to speak blessings and words of life over your kids. Let it encourage you to let the Holy Spirit help you control that sharp tongue of yours.
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
James 3:10
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so
Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Psalm 35:28
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long
Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Proverbs 25:15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Psalm 51:6
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Psalm 139:4
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold O Lord, you know it altogether.
Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and let without walls
James 4:1-17
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? …
James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Psalm 119:171-173
My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
James 1:21
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Forgiveness
Take heart, dear Mama, asking forgiveness is a powerful tool. These beautiful kids of yours are full of forgiveness. Their sweet, innocent hearts loves you unconditionally and longs to mend the broken bond between you.
C.S. Lewis once said, “ After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again..”
Don’t give up. Keep trying. Day after day start anew. Taming the tongue is incredibly hard. These verses tell us to pray for wisdom, self-control, and patience. Let’s praise God and receive his word, for His word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…
