The words we speak have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21) in them. Yet without discipline, our mouth is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. The Word says that no one can tame the tongue and that it has the power to direct our lives.
If we can not tame the tongue, how do we discipline it to speak life instead of death?
Tell the truth, always.
Proverbs 6:17, 19 tells us that the Lord hates a lying tongue and a false witness that speaks lies. This means not speaking what we call “white lies.” This means not telling half-truths. This means not telling lies of omission. John 8:32 tells us that the truth shall set us free. In Ephesians 4:15 we are encouraged to speak the truth in love. We always have a choice to tell the truth.
Speak unity
The Proverbs warn about sowing discord among the brethren (Proverb 6:14, 19), that it is an abomination to the Lord. This means that when we are quarrelling with other believers about things, it is an abomination to the Lord.
Discord is defined as a : lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) b : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions
We are instead encouraged to live in unity with other believers (Psalms 133:1). Jesus prayed for believers to come in complete unity, as He is the with Father (John 17:23). In Philippians 3, Paul writes that as much as we can we should agree with other believers, but where we can’t we should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth in the situation.
Speak God’s Word
Psalms 119:105 Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. God’s Word lights our path, it brings life to us as it illuminates our paths. We are encouraged to memorize scriptures and meditate on them as Psalms 119:11 say the Word will keep us from sinning. It is also by meditating on the Word that we will become successful and prosper (Joshua 1:8)
Share your testimony
I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” Psalms 39:1
Not only do the things we speak impact our own life, it also has the ability to impact the lives of others. When they hear good and bad come out of the same mouth, one that professes to be a Christian, it ruins the Word of your testimony. And it is by the power of Christ’s blood, and the Word of your testimony that Satan is defeated (Revelations 12:11).
If life and death are in the tongue, we must discipline our self to speak life. To allow our words speak truth, build unity, align with the word, and share what God has done with those around us.
Restoring Voice 