TAMING THE TONGUE | DAY 2

Slow to Speak — The Discipline of Holy Restraint

PART 1: STUDY

Key Passage- James 1:19-21 AMP

“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.”

Words of Wisdom- Proverbs 21:23 NLT

“Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”

Scripture Promise- Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

PART 2: DEVOTIONAL

Todays key passage tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. In the Amplified version I elaborates that we should be careful listeners, that we should choose our words carefully and that we be patient and forgiving. Taking time to be careful in how and what we say and do is a challenge. Our flesh would rather react emotionally and mindlessly than to respond carefully, but thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit we do not have to act according to our flesh. With His help we are able to work on heeding the rest of the passage which tells us to rid ourselves of wickedness and in humility receive Gods word. We will know we are receiving Gods word when we are applying its teachings in our lives. Doing what this passage tells us we are closer to not only taming the tongue but to also living a life pleasing to God. 

Our Words of Wisdom scripture is straight to the point: watch your tongue, keep your mouth shut and you will stay out of trouble. There is so much power in our words and in how and what we say. Though it’s a small part of our body, the tongue is quite mighty. Scripture teaches us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) so doing what is necessary to tame the tongue is of utmost importance to Holy living. 

Today we have been charged to spiritually grow in several ways: that we be slow to speak, slow to anger, that we be quick to listen, that we rid ourselves of wickedness, that we humbly receive Gods word, that we watch our tongue and that we keep our mouths shut. On our own reliance we cannot succeed but according to our Scripture Promise verse from Philippians 4:13, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Pray and ask for Jesus to give you the strength necessary to do what our Key Passage and Words of Wisdom scripture demands of us. 

Based on this study, ask yourself the following questions… Are you guarding your mouth and watching your tongue? Are you reacting in anger or are you walking in the love that comes from Jesus? Is there wickedness that needs to be removed from you? How well are you receiving Gods word into your daily life? For any area where you are lacking, pray and ask God for His help to grow and change. As shown in our Scripture Promise, with His strength all things are possible- including taming the tongue! 

PART 3: PRAYER

Lord, thank you for giving me power through your Holy Spirit and I ask for the strength that is needed to do what your scripture demands. 

In any area we have studied today where I am lacking, please help me to do better. 

Help me persevere in my Christian Walk as I strive to live a life that is pleasing to you. 

According to your word, with you, all things are possible so I thank you in advance for helping me to tame my tongue. 

I pray that your word be humbly received within me and that its teachings guide me as I walk hand in hand with you. 

Please remove from me any wickedness that is preventing me from living a holy life. 

I ask these things in the name of Jesus, AMEN!