Oh Be Careful Little Mouth...

...what you SAY.  Our words carry consequence, good or bad. We've sung the lyrics to, "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes" since infancy, since our days in Sunday School. We sing about guarding our eyes, ears, hands, feet, AND mouth.  It might be the last verse and the most forgotten but it ends, "Be careful little mouth what you say."  Words are important.  We are on the other side of the election and seeing the consequence of careless words, spoken and written.  I whole-hardheartedly believe the words President-elect Donald Trump and Secretary Clinton have expressed speak to their character, their heart, and their plans. Some of those words replay over and over in my head.  Their words were impressionable. Christ says, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  That's not so pretty, in this case.

We make it not even three verses into the first book of the Bible, Genesis, before we see the power in words.  God spoke. God spoke and the power of His words created the heavens and the earth. The power of His words gave LIFE.  Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit."  Our words give life or they give death.  I first heard about "life giving words" back in 2003.  My sweet friend was getting married at Glen Eyrie and the wife of the president of The Navigators was giving her a "bachelorette party" of sorts.  In her wisdom, the wife shared that our words as wives, mothers, friends, coworkers, whatever our role, can build up or we can tear down. We can create life not only with our bodies (yay for babies) but we can also create life with our words.  We should weigh the words before they come out of our mouths (or fingertips for those of us typing them).  How will they be interpreted or received? What affect will the words have? Life or death?     

We will be measured by and held accountable for our words.  In Matthew 12, Jesus claims you can recognize a tree by its fruit.  He proceeds to speak about words. Words are your fruit.  He goes on to say, "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  That will make you think about what you say or want to stop talking altogether, yes?!?    Now hear me say, I know we are sinners saved by grace but that grace lavished on us through Christ produces obedience. And obedience to the Word means we can't praise Him one day and spew sin or lies or hatred from that same mouth the next day.  We must bring our words into subjection (1Corinthians 9:24-27). Furthermore, the book of James which could arguably be likened to a figurative punch in the gut about our speech (if you are open to the Spirit's conviction in your life), warns about the responsibility and judgement that comes with teaching.  Many look to teachers, preachers, and leaders for guidance and wisdom. And our words like a tiny rudder are able to steer a vast ship.  Let's not shipwreck all the lives on board because we had not the self control to measure our words.

So I love this but ironically the words, "shut up" are prohibited at our house. 

Proverbs 10:19-21 is the nicer way of saying many words provide many opportunities for sin.

Let us restrain our lips.     

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" has no clout in the Bible.  In the United States, the affect of recent words from leaders and keyboard-warriors alike has had dire consequences.  Fear has been struck in the hearts of many from words.  Anger has been aroused in many from words.  Misunderstanding from all sides has been stirred up because of words.  What is our response?  Are we quick to listen and slow to speak (James1:19) or are we the exact opposite, joining in the fight?  Our words are like a spark that can start a great fire.  I pray we choose to be bearers of grace, mercy, love, and justice with our words (and then of course, put our money where our mouth is and follow up with actions!).  That our gracious words would be like honeycomb providing sweetness to the soul and health to the body.