23 March 2025

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

(Biblical & Spiritual Exhortations: BSE 4)

Usually, we can judge a person’s character by way and the words he speaks. His words reveal what is in his heart. Our Lord said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). The Apostle James tells us that the tongue, though small, “is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (Jas 3:5-6). Hence, we need to guard our mouth so that we do not speak the wrong things. The Psalmist wisely prayed: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips”. (Psa.141:3). The Lord warns us that every idle word we speak will be in danger of judgment (Matt.12:36-37).

The Apostle Paul exhorted the believers thus: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph.4:29). He also instructed them, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Col.4:5). Salt preserves things from corruption and makes food attractive and tasteful. Our talk should always help people to become better and make them desire for more of God and the things of God.

Unfortunately, there are some who by their talk leaves a bad taste in the mouth. They are always critical and judgmental and always too hasty to condemn others. This shows there is pride in the heart or a bitter spirit – a corruption of the inner man. Jesus said that “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matt.12:35). May we show we are “good” by the good things we say! Do not let others judge us wrongly by what we say.

In many Christian homes, there is a plaque on the Dinning Room wall which says, “Christ is Head of this house, the unseen Guest at every meal, the silent Listener to every conversation”. This is a reminder to everyone in the home that Jesus is Lord and He is present always with us, and so we need to be very careful what we say and how we speak. We need to be reminded that Christ is present always with us wherever we are. If we are conscious of this, then we will be careful how we behave and mindful of our language or talk.

The Prophet Malachi tells us about the Faithful Remnant in the last days: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His Presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His Name” (Mal.3:16). This implies that the Faithful are always talking about the Lord and honoring Him when they met together. Obviously, they were encouraging one another by their testimonies of the Lord’s dealings in their lives. And this pleased the Lord and He wrote a Book of Remembrance because they feared God and honored Him. May we all remember to do likewise when we are together. Let our conversation be pleasing to Him always!

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