Sharron's Blog: THE POWER OF THE TONGUE BIBLE VERSES:

 The tongue

Tuesday,, December 8, 2020

I am blogging this at the request of my daughter, Elena from our conversation this morning that she felt many might benefit from.  This is my experience regarding my tongue and how often it gets me into trouble, and has many times in the past and continues to do so as of this writing.  

When I was a child, being #2 of 11 children (5 brothers, 6 sisters including me) I was continuously criticized by my father about several things, (1) being left handed, (2) having a big nose/like his (he would say) (3)Getting redeemed and trying to live a Christian life among 12 people who could care less about the bible and salvation.  I spent a lot of useless time in idol chatter, senseless defense of myself to my father which always got me in deeper, as I was never able to convince him of my  innocense!  He would tell me I was a "freak" in a right-handed world.  Also that left handed people don't live as long as right-handed people.  He told me a few times that I needed a "nose job", that you can now pick out the nose you wanted and have it fixed and that I was the unfortunate recipiennt of his nose, which he always hated.  I recall he told me: "You know, you might find someone who will fall in love with you after this surgery". Regarding comments about being lefthanded, I remember asking my mother if it said anywhere in the bible that you were suppose to be right-handed and she said no.  So I would argue with my dad that "God gave me two hands and I chose the left instead of the right and God doesn't care if I chose the left."  

What really use to get me upset was out of 11 children, I believe 5 were left handed.  I never heard him say a word about them being lefties!  Why? I would endlessly ask.  I was in the third grade learning cursive writing and decided to ask for the Lord's help in learning to write with my right hand so I could show my father I was normal.  I would practice every moment I could to write with both hands, and around the 7th grade, in junior high school, I made up my mind that year to mostly write with my right hand.  I got really good at it and once I fully mastered writing right handed, I wrote my father a letter and asked: "What hand do you think I wrote that letter with?" I recall him looking at me like I was talking crazy... he had a very puzzled expression on his face...I asked again, "what hand do you think I wrote that letter with?""  When I got no answer, I told him I wrote that with my right hand!  He was dumb founded, and could not believe I had done that!  

A while past this revelation, we were having a visit with his brother, Harry, when I heard my father telling my Uncle Harry, "You know Sharron is an ambidextrous".  I had no idea what that word meant but here is the definition: ambidextrous: (of a person) able to use the right and left hands equally well.  My father never mentioned my being left handed again.  I give all the credit for that accomplishment to the Lord, as I had asked earnestly that HE help me do this to show my dad I was normal.  This situation actually helped me to believe that with God's help, if I set my mind to it, I could do all things.  It was a negative thing that God used to redirect my thinking.  Later on in one very special visit with my father, we sat up most of the night talking and my dad asked: "I'm the reason you learned to write with your right hand, am I not?" I answered yes, but God used it to let me know that I could do anything I set my mind to, with God's help, so it worked out for the good". He then apologized and said he was wrong. How precious is that memory of him now!

I grew up feeling like I had to defend myself, expecially when it came to my Christian standards.  I was very defensive at any type of criticism and would argue endlessly, especially if I felt I was correct.  Also, if the bible backed up what I felt I believed, I took on the job of convencing people, arguing my point, but all I usually did was cause trouble for me and the person I was trying to convence.  Usuallly there would be decention, a bruised relationship in which I was too proud to go and apologize.  After a time, during my "spiritual makeover" I began to learn some of the bibical principlles I have listed below.  I got into endless arguments with my husband trying desperately to defend myself and why I did this or said that, or believed some point of argument.  Our girls unfortunately would be caught up in my endless arguments... attempts to defend myself, which NEVER accomplished my purpose.  They only got me in deeper trouble, never out of it.  

During the 15 year battle with my husband's brain tumor I began to learn to be "slower to speak and quick to hear", to try and think before I spoke, to let my "yea be yea and my nay be nay", as anythng else in between these two words will get you into trouble, and also we will be held accountable for them: "every idle word" you will give an account of on day of judgement.  We have been judged already as born again believers, but we also will stand and give an account of ourselves at the judgement seat of Christ, for deeds done, whether good or bad.  They must stand the test of "fire" and if any man's works stand that great test, he will be rewarded.  I am 72 years old at the time of this writing and am still working on my tongue!  I stlll get into trouble with my attempts to defend myself, or just to argue my point.  

Here are some bible verses I have collected that make us rethink, regarding the power of our tongues for your consideration.  God bless!

SCRIPTURES:

• 1 Timothy 1:4 NKJV — nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

• Colossians 3:3 NKJV — For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

• Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

• Proverbs 6:16...These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him, 17:
• A proud look,
• A lying tongue,
• Hands that shed innocent blood, 
• A heart that devises wicked plans,
• Feet that are swift in running to evil,
• A false witness who speaks lies,
• And one who sows discord among brethren.
• 1 Peter 1:7 NKJV — that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
• 1 Corinthians 3:13 NKJV — each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
• Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

• Matthew 12:36 NKJV — “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
• [Jas 5:12 KJV] 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
• [Mat 5:37 KJV] 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
•           Proverbs 10:19-20 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
• ·         Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
• ·         Proverbs 12:13, 14 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
• ·         Proverbs 12:18-19 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.
• ·         Proverbs 13:1b A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth (3) He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
• ·         Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.
• ·         Proverbs 15:1-2 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
• ·         Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
• ·         Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
• ·         Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
• ·         Proverbs 16:21b And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
• ·         Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
• ·         Proverbs 16:28b And a whisperer separates the best of friends
• ·         Proverbs 17:27-28 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. (28) Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
• ·         Proverbs 18:20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it will eat its fruit.
• ·         Proverbs 21:Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
• ·         Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
• ·         Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back
• ·         James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
• ·         James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (10) Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11) Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
• ·         James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
• ·         James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure. Then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to them that make peace.