The Challenge of Christian Conversation, Part 2

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

If you have the capacity to speak or communicate, more than likely you have at some time said something which you later deeply regretted. We’ve all said things which we wish we had not, and the Psalmist expresses the best possible remedy to guard against such outbursts in the above verse.

Having trouble with your mouth? Using bad language (dirty or swearing, not poor grammar)? Talking about other people? Passing on tidbits of information? Gossiping? Saying too much? Like the Psalmist, you may want to ask the Lord to guard what goes past your lips.

The Psalmist asks, “How can a young man (or anyone, for that matter) keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your (God’s) word” (119:9). What does God’s Word have to say about our conversation?

James tells us to “be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” and “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle (control) his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:19, 26).

Convicting, isn’t it? Guard your conversation.