I've always had a bite.
Many, many years ago I would sit with pad and pen and write page after page, filling every line tight with small print, being careful to make use of all space with words.
I would chew at the ends of the pen and crinkle the paper, throw it aside and slump back with an unseen eye roll and pout. I would resist.
I knew I would have to start all over again, but I didn't care.
Back then, it was called "writing lines" to try and tame the tongue of a teen.
It worked and it didn't.
I can quote you the verse forwards and backwards and it's become one verse I'll never forget and always remember:
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
It's hard to try to tame the tongue even at the brink of forty.
It seems to be the fastest thing on this sluggish, tired, worn flesh of mine that still works and won't give up.
Not easily put out or forgotten or forgiven, a tongue is a small spark that contains a fire that leaves behind ashes of dark and stinging breaths of bitterness.
A test to speak life or speak death? The power is in the tongue for the tongue is how we leave our legacy of words.
What makes an unbeliever turn to the heart of a great God? A tongue that speaks life.
What moves my children to the love of the Father and the peacefulness of home? A tongue that speaks life.
What makes my husband feel valued, respected, adored? A tongue that speaks life.
What makes friends feel loved and cherished? A tongue that speaks life.
What can make the whole wounded world worship? A tongue that speaks His life.
So this...->If I awake to His words and lend an ear to His voice His words will move my words to His melody.
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1 Peter 3:10~"For Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit."
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain
{Along with #write31days, this post is also part of the five minute free writes over at kate motaung's site. A group of writers writing with one word for five minutes. Check out all the other gifted writer's encouraging words.}
how are you doing with the write 31 day challenge? So far it's proving fun for me. I enjoyed reading your post, good words, good thoughts. visiting from FMF #9.
ReplyDeleteHi Annette! The write 31 day challenge is coming along slowly for me. It's quite a challenge for me, but I'm still chugging along. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant, Annette. I have kind of a theory that the most important words in a marriage are the ones you decide not to say.
ReplyDelete#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/10/your-dying-spouse-216-lethal-legacy-fmf.html
And yes, I know you're not Annette, but my fingers can be pretty stupid and willful sometimes. Sorry.
DeleteHi Andrew, no need to apologize. Wrong name usage happens to the best of us! I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat article!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elisa. I'm glad you are enjoying this series!
DeleteThis is sooo convicting, I need to read it over and over!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thank you, Patricia. I need to read it over and over myself and really, really nail down the practice of speaking truth.
DeleteAhhh Bonnie, you have written it so well. A tongue that speaks life. Now, that's where the true power lies. I'm challenged and convicted at times because 1) my boys sometimes parrot back to me what I've said in a different context (and it's usually not the good words, not profanity, just negative), and 2) I want to speak words of life to those around me. And I want my boys to do this too. Oh, this tongue. It's a challenge to speak life all the time. But powerful and uplifting when we do. :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I completely agree with you. It's amazing how are children model after us and I've had myself in the same situations of wishing I had better guard over my tongue and talk. It seems so easy to just say words that bring life, but so hard in many situations. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThe line,"The power is in the tongue for the tongue is how we leave our legacy of words." really jolted me. I had never thought of it that way. Maybe pondering this will help break me of my bad habit of sarcasm. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCandy, I hear you! I have a not-so-good habit of sarcasm as well. I always thought of leaving a legacy in other ways, but the tongue, to me, is one such way I want to be remembered for. Thank you for stopping by!
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