We Own Our Lips!

Listen to the boast of the ungodly:

We will triumph with our tongues;

We own our lips –who is our master?

--Psalm 12:4

Just prior to this boasting, David described the one who lies to his neighbor through flattery and deception. We are surrounded by the same kind of flattery and deception in our current society. It breeds mistrust and shallow relationships.

David wrote that empty speech, lies, and boasts describe the ungodly and faithless person.

Jesus said to let your “Yes” be “Yes” and let your “No” be “No.” This was in response to the way in which the people would make a claim or a promise. To swear by the temple was a strong vow. But to swear by the gold in the temple was even stronger. Jesus taught his followers to speak truth with no disclaimers or qualifications or hidden meanings.

Have you ever rationalized a white lie in order to avoid an embarrassing truth? Some call it tact (though that is a gross misunderstanding). We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever greeted someone with words of warmth and interest, yet the greeting was empty. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever twisted the truth to keep someone from getting hurt? It actually made things go better! We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever made a bold claim or promise without really thinking about whether you could keep your promise? People are impressed and perhaps even inspired. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever told the truth, but in a way as that intentionally give you an advantage? We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

It wasn’t adultery, it was an affair. She isn’t rebellious, she’s a free spirit. I am not being deceptive, it is a gentler way to say things. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever showered someone with complements…so you would appear encouraging? Flattery gets you everywhere. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

The joke was a little ‘shady,’ but it was soooo funny. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever used a word that rhymes with an obscene word or that only suggested something of a sexual nature? We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

We live in a country that guarantees free speech. It is our first amendment right! We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Churches have argued over doctrine. Christians have split hairs wrangling over words. Churches split. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. 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?”

--Psalm 12:1-4 (NIV, 1984)

Is the Lord your Master or your arrogant lips?

Truth and genuine encouragement, or silence!

Mark Stinnett

August 11, 2024

Life or Ruin?...You Choose!

Off the top of your head, how many words can you list that describe negative, hurtful, or sinful speech?

• Slander,
• Lies,
• False Witness,
• Gossip,
• Flattery,
• Deceit,
• Guile,
• Loose tongue/lips,
• False accusation,
• Babbler.

My list is not exhaustive and some of the words describe attitudes that may or may not come out in speech (i.e. Deceit). But you get the idea. Our language is full of words to describe a person who either cannot or does not control his/her tongue.

Even the last item on my list is bad. My dad had a rather unflattering way to describe the babbler. He said it was a person with ‘diarrhea of the mouth!’

The babbler may not actually be saying bad things or hurting others, but the babbler does not listen; cannot be taught; always has more to say. Babblers are selfish talkers.

Life or Ruin . . . You Choose!

   The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
   The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
   --Proverbs 13:3

The one who guards his mouth gives thought to his words before speaking. He uses his words to encourage, to speak truth, to honor God and men, to express love and appreciation. He uses his tongue for instruction; he uses his tongue for discipline when necessary.

The one who guards his mouth chooses his words wisely. He does not excuse himself, “That’s just the way I am.” He thinks first and is considerate of the feelings of others.

The one who guards his mouth is teachable, knowing that there is a time to talk, but also a time to listen. He knows that he is not all-knowing, not all-wise. Even when he ‘knows,’ he allows another to share an idea; after all, he may still need to be taught.

The one who guards his mouth is often silent. . .
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