Jesus on the Mouth

There can be no doubt Jesus spent a lot of time talking about how we talk.  He made it clear, the most dangerous element of the Pharisees was their teaching.  They taught what they didn't practice.

They taught men burdensome things.  While they were unwilling to help anyone do them.

In Luke 12, Jesus goes on a long discourse concerning the tongue. Some of the scariest verses of scriptures are found here:
Luke 12:2–3 (ESV) Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

And then just a few verses later:

Luke 12:8–10 (ESV) “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Yikes.

Think it's important we watch what we do with our tongue?  Jesus agrees wholeheartedly.  

Why is it so important to watch what we say to Jesus?  Because Jesus knows the power of a word. God creates with Words.  Jesus is the WORD of God made flesh.  Jesus commands demons to flee and people to be healed and storms to be silenced with a word.  Our hearts are transformed and our faith is built up by hearing the "Word of God."

This is a communicating faith.  It truly is.  It is not a "thinking" faith, it is a confessional faith.  It is not a mind over matter faith, it is a mouth over matter faith.  Our words will condemn us and our words will justify us.  

Watch what you say.

And then I had this thought.  Jesus wants us to be aware of our speech in the dark places of our lives, the secret places.  How about our own minds?  What are we saying over and over in our mind?  Are we taking thoughts captive to obedience about ourselves?  How about our thoughts toward others?  Before you speak it out, you've thought it out.  Watch what you think, for what you think becomes what you say.  

What did Paul say?
Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Your words can bring life or death to someone.  Grace and preservation (salt), or judgment and destruction.  They do the same for your life.  Stop bad mouthing yourself and others, in your mind or with your mouth.  Let God transform your heart so that you can transform your speech.

PRAYER:
Father, we all struggle with this one.  Me most of all.  I ask for a change of heart, help me speak with words of grace and salt. And help my words to be few, but when they are plenty, let them be full of YOU!  In Jesus' Name!