November 18, 2023

Psalm 12: 2-4 Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?” (NIV)

A word is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day.*

Freedom of speech is something we take very seriously in this country; properly defining it is problematic, however. It has come down to, “I am free to say what I want to. You aren’t.” In these verses, David writes about some instances in which God might be interested in curtailing free speech. Lies, flattery, deception, boasting. And it appears that David doesn’t think too highly of those who believe it is their right to say whatever they choose.

Constitutional rights aside, as Christians we do not have the right to say what we want when we want. We do not own our lips. We need to be mindful of the power of words – for good or for evil. Chanting, “Sticks and stones may break my bones . . .” has lulled us into a false sense of security. Except, we have always known that it wasn’t true. Words can hurt. Deeply.

The Bible has plenty to say about our words and the need to control them. In James 1: 1-12, we read of the destructive power of the tongue: it corrupts the whole person (verse 6); it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (verse 8); with the same mouth we praise and we curse (verse 10) – for example. 

On the positive side, in Romans 10: 9 and 10, we read of one of the most powerful uses of the tongue for good: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

Use your power for good. Confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” Let God own your lips.

We must be careful of the words we speak . . . for they not only reveal the inner man, but they help to make him what he is.*