Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death.” James 3:9-10 9”With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” Matthew 36-37 36 “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

There are times when it is better not to say a word then to say the wrong thing. I know that I’ve done it more often then I would like to remember. Yes, I’ve had my size fifteen shoe in my mouth so often I do believe that I’ve had “athletes mouth”! And what makes it worse is that once said it can’t be taken back. You can apologize for it but that doesn’t erase it.

How strange it must seem to God that we ask Him for blessings and direction then turn around a call ourselves names when we mess up. You curse yourself EVERY TIME you do it. Ask for blessings then end up cursing yourself and wonder where is God’s blessings? I’ve made it a rule in my shop that my staff and students are not allowed to call themselves names when they make a mistake. And they know why I don’t allow it!

One thing that we all seem to forget is the one person who is ALWAYS affected by what we say. It is the one person who never misses a single word you say or whisper, ourselves. We hear every word that precedes out of our mouth and good or bad it affects us. How many times do you call yourself stupid before you start believing it? Another side affect of doing such things is that you are giving yourself permission to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again, why, because you said that you’re stupid.

Here is an example I’m sure that I’m not alone in doing; I’m driving down the road alone in my car praying. In the middle of doing so someone pulls out in front of me and the next thing I know I’m calling them names. How effective was my prayers? What a lousy example of a Christian I was! So now my prayers include asking for forgiveness and help with my anger and frustrations.

The Holy Spirit is a tremendous help! I will say something to myself that I shouldn’t say out loud and I’ll hear a voice inside of me say “SHUT UP”! It now happens so often that it is no longer in me but me saying “SHUT UP” to myself out loud. It’s like an instant check in my spirit and has helped me re-think those things that I say out loud even to myself.

So consider carefully the words that you speak. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you curb your tongue. I heard someone suggest try saying “praise the Lord” instead of name calling, it can’t hurt! Speaking blessings is ALWAYS better than speaking curses.