Life Lessons

Here is what I've been chewing on lately:

Proverbs 21:23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise [brings] healing.

James 3:3-11 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. ⁴ And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. ⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, ⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

James 1:26 ²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.

James 17:28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning, when he seals his lips.

Proverbs 15:1 ¹ A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath

A few things I've learned from this:

1. **major revelation alert** I've always said "This is just my personality, I can't change it" or "I'm just opinionated. Can I not share my opinion? People just don't like to hear the truth". It has been revealed to me that a) You CAN change your personality. In fact, God is calling me to change CONSTANTLY! Not to change into what the world wants but what HE wants. b) I'm not as smart as I think I am. My opinion isn't always gold and isn't always right. And if it is right, it can spoken in a way that is not condescending and builds others up.
   
2. Most of the time it is best to just be quiet. My motor mouth started out with good intentions (to be friendly) and has turned into a mess (attention getting, off-putting). Working on it!
3. My tongue/mouth/words can do 1 of 2 things: can encourage others to move towards a relationship with Jesus Christ or pull others away from Him. I'm trying to remember this before I say ANYTHING.
   
4. It less about the actual words I say but the tone of voice I speak them in.
   
5. This one got me. My words can actually render my beliefs useless if they don't reflect the truth that Scripture holds. James 1:26 ²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.
   

I encourage you to chew on this with me (get it? chew...tongue :) Please pray for me as I work on this majorly flawed area of my life. All 14 followers of this blog :) ha! For those of you that know me personally, please keep me accountable in this. Its a habit that has taken years to develop but I'm hoping to un-develop it faster than that!