Subjecting Your Tongue: The Path to Sanctified Speech

◄ Proverbs 21:23 ►
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

I recently listened to Pastor David Ogbueli speak on the subject of The Law of Proper Speech. It was an expository and enlightening message. He explained how our tongue has the power to either build or destroy. And if I may ask you — to what purpose do you use your tongue?

This powerful message gave me deep insight. It made me reflect and confess, just like Prophet Isaiah did in his time:
“Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips!” — Isaiah 6:5

As human beings, we are prone to fall short of God’s standards due to various pressures and distractions in life. Often, we get carried away, and in doing so, we ensnare ourselves with our words.

Have you seen a man who can control his tongue? He will speak mysteries, and they will come to pass. The tongue, though the smallest part of the body, carries great power — power to either tear down or build up.

The tongue is small, yet dangerous!
James 3:2-6 (paraphrased)
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who does not stumble in what he says is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. The tongue is like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship — though small, it directs the whole course. It boasts of great things and can kindle a great fire. Indeed, the tongue is a fire — a world of iniquity — that can corrupt the entire body and set the course of life on fire.

Psalm 34:12-13
“Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.”

A defiled tongue cannot produce life — it is spiritually dead.

Due to murmuring — a fruit of a corrupt tongue — we are told that approximately three million Israelites perished in the wilderness.

The misuse of our tongue can have severe consequences. Therefore, we must take precautions to avoid the damage it can cause.

2 Kings 2:23-24
As Elisha was going up to Bethel, some youths came out and mocked him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead!” He turned around, cursed them in the name of the LORD, and two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.

There are forbidding ways of talking in the scriptures if God is going to use your mouth as an oracle, if He is going to use your tongue as a prophetic, You must have a sanctified tongue.

Leviticus 19:16
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

PONDER

As we meditate on this truth, I pray that God grants us wisdom to live in this perverse world with the grace to guard both our hearts and our tongues, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

– GospelExplore