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Self Control: Ever Thought Much About Your Mouth?

I have a new T-shirt! Actually this is one I first saw about 3 years ago in just the right color light sage green. The front looks embroidered and says “Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth".

In my walk with Jesus He and I have talked about many things. So many of the areas where I , and apparently many others who call themselves His, have problems dealing with the mouth. Gossip, maybe even disguised as a prayer request, but I need to think about what is the actual intent of my heart in sharing this request. How many times do we speak before thinking. Overeating, OK now I would be accused of meddling, I think the Bible calls it gluttony and at times it describes me.

The good news is there is hope and I realize even in writing this piece that I have made some progress over the years.

There are promises in His word about our mouth:

I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (NKJV)

Exodus 4:12

Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." (NKJV)

And challenges:

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (NKJV)

And prayers:

Psalm 71:8

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day. (NKJV)

Psalm 89:1

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (NKJV)

We can choose to use our mouth to praise and pray and lift up His most incredible name. Yes, and even to eat reasonably. There I go meddling again.

In the meantime I will wear my new T-shirt and be reminded that His arm is indeed around my shoulders and, on occasion, His hand might find itself over my mouth.

Thank you Jesus.

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

 

Marijo Phelps,saved by Jesus grace in 1974, from 9 years atheism into His loving arms. She is wanting to spread the good news about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name is pronounced Mary Jo. She was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM,statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ 9 years. Her first poem published when she was four years old. (her mom had much to do with that!) She has been writing ever since.

Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com

    

» left by Michelle Mackin (1 year 323 days ago.)

Great article Marijo,

 

I shall remember and come back to God's word before I speak on May 1st. I know the Lord loves to talk and take walks with you even when He does have to put His hand over your mouth.

 

Love, hugs and blessings,

 

Michelle

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (1 year 323 days ago.)

Glad you are feeling well enough to speak! Blessings my Lodi friend!  MArijo

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» left by Teresa^(1,655) (1 year 322 days ago.)

Marijo, you just couldn't keep your muuth shut could you? lol - great devotional! A perfect reminder first thing in the morning. I have a note on my computer that says do all things without complaining. I should print this out and put it on my wall - might be too much where I work... love you! Have a great day!

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (1 year 322 days ago.)

Thanks again for coming by and your great encouragement! Just think about it - not only the tongue (James) but the mouth... let the Lord have both and we'd be doing better than OK!

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» left by marlon from india (1 year 238 days ago.)

Nice article Marijo!

 

If the love of money is the root of all evil, then for sure a loose tongue (and a mouth wide open!)is the root of all misunderstanding and conflict amongst people.

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (1 year 237 days ago.)

 I agree Thanks for coming by and your comments!

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» left by jamaca from tupelo ms (1 year 52 days ago.)

i understand and i am not a gossiper. i find myself or my child as discussion amoung my mom. my mom, who is a preachers wife says when you tell others about my business or my brother affairs is that is how she copes. I see it as hurtful thing to be ran down by my mom. i need help in that area. she continues to run me and my children down if we do the wrong thing in their eyes.my daughter who is a 19 yo pregnant new mom. she has ask God for forgiveness and i chose not to tell them about it until she is 9 months they are mad at me and my dad will not speak to me. he is a preacher and years pass i told him he doesnt have a forgiving heart. what do i do to please God?

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (1 year 51 days ago.)

 It is so tough with family members (they are in habit patterns they have had for years.) You can't make choices for others but in this situation you can ask the Lord to help you. IF I think of this in the middle of one of those situations I view it as "attitude check time". My sin in a situation like this is what I do or do not do and my response. We answer to God ultimately and God is the one who we listen to. Yes, we are to honor our parents but we do answer to God for our thoughts and actions. We can always ask His help to have the right response and look to scripture to show us what that is. Forgiving 70 times 7..... not entering in when someone is gossiping. Changing the subject or simply say that you feel maybe too much is being said and you do not want your conversation to grieve the Lord. 

Your daughter's situation is under the blood of Christ. Apparently they do not see your daughter very much. 

We are accountable to God and dying to the fear of man is SO difficult. Maybe you can look up some scriptures that will help you see what the Word says about gossip, honoring parents, forgiving and then what it does not say.

I think much hurt is done in the Body of Christ while sharing the gory details of "prayer requests". And even that can be gossip with a "prayer request" label. So much to learn and the Lord Jesus Christ says a lot about these topics and the Holy spirit is more than willing to teach us.

Lord, please help Jamaca to be free in You and to learn more and more of Your truth as you help her find some gracious ways to "share the truth in love". Help her parents to actually hear her as they dialog and not just see her as their child. Help them to see her as your daughter, a beautiful woman of God. Help this family to began to pray for each other even more and to have a tender heart towards each other we ask in the most incredible name of Jesus. AMEN

 

 

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