Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
PROGRAM D-7158
“I can’t believe I said that!” Have you ever felt that way? I’m sure I’m not the only one with foot-in-mouth disease. And you know, when you say something you shouldn’t say, you can never un-say those words.
How can we learn to tame that tongue of ours; that small part of our body which causes such huge problems? James tells us that the person who is never at fault in what he says is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Wow, that’s how important it is to tame our tongues. When they’re out of control, everything else about us tends to be out of control as well.
But James goes on to say that no man can tame the tongue, and he’s right. No man can tame the tongue. But the Spirit of God can tame it, if we will make it a matter of serious prayer and daily commitment. Here is a suggestion.
Work on one problem at a time. Where do you feel your tongue is most out of control? Do you complain a lot? Or is it criticism? Or gossip? Maybe you just talk too much. Choose one and focus on it until you can see change in that area.
Commit to the Lord, for example, “Today I will not complain. Lord, please bring to my mind all through this day that I should not complain about anything. Please stop me when I start to complain. Please make me miserable when I do complain. Please help me to hear myself complain. By your grace, I will not complain today.”
It would help to memorize some scriptures about complaining, or write them on cards and put them in front of your eyes.
For example, Philippians 2:14: “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” That’s pretty easy to remember, but harder to practice. However, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, even stop complaining.
Now, in order to stop speaking words of complaint, you’re going to have stop thinking those complaining things. Your words are simply revealing what’s in your mind and on your heart. So, while you’re cleaning up those words, you’re going to have to clean up your thoughts. So, you also pray, “Lord, help me not to have a complaining spirit today—not to even allow myself to think in a complaining way. Make me a thankful person.”
I promise you, if you’re serious about taming that tongue, and you approach it with commitment, God is going to empower you to do that. You’re going to see changes in yourself that you won’t believe. You’ll hear yourself start to complain, and stop right in the middle because the Spirit of God reminded you. And with this simple method you can begin to tame that tongue.
