In the beginning, God created Adam with the ability to speak. Open mouth, form words, and speak the words using breath from his own lungs. The words themselves were to flow from Adam’s innermost being, just like his Creator. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the spirit, the mouth speaks.
Adam and God had quite a time together. Adam spoke and named all the animals and God said, “That’s good, Adam. Real good!” I’m sure God showed Adam how to mix faith with his words, because “without faith it is impossible to please God.” I’m certain God told Adam the same thing Jesus told His disciples: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:23 NKJV)
Adam learned from The Master how to “call things that be not, as though they were…”. He learned his tongue is the most powerful and important part of his body. With his tongue he could bless or curse, heal or hurt. (James 3)
After “the fall” I believe much of what Adam had learned by revelation from God became lost, or covered with spiritual darkness. Sin has that effect on us. However, just because he no longer knew certain things didn’t suddenly make those things untrue! For example, I may not realize, or remember, how powerful and indiscriminate gravity is. But if I step where I shouldn’t, WHAM! I still may not understand what happened. Couldn’t explain it if my life depended on it. But…
No, there was still power in the words he spoke. And there’s still power in the words we speak! The things we dwell on become the things we believe. The things we believe will become the words we speak. And the words we speak will frame the world we live in! After all, we were created in God’s image. Notice in Hebrews 11:1-3 – God framed His world, and beyond, by His Word.
Sometimes I forget that truth; or else I’m just too lazy to make myself say the right thing. So, sometimes I simply need to SHUT MY MOUTH!
Yep! My world, your world, this WHOLE WORLD would be better if we simply shut our mouth at times. And shut it we would, if we really believed the power of the heart and tongue. “Believe those things you say will come to pass…”
But we must communicate with one another, so we can’t simply have a zipper stitched to our mouth. There are people and things to bless, and God to be worshipped and adored. There is the enemy of all mankind to defeat, and his operations and schemes to curse. Unity and the bond of peace develops as we speak the same thing in love.
Yes, there is a time to shut our mouth, and a time to open it wide! May The Lord open our understanding to this powerful truth, giving us wisdom to know when to speak and when to shut our mouth!
Here are some scriptures that may help us understand the truth about our words.
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent (Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT)
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense (Proverbs 10:19-21 NLT)
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. (Proverbs 4:24 NLT)
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. (Proverbs 13:3 NLT)
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. (Proverbs 15:28 NLT)
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips (Proverbs 18:6-7 NLT)
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23 NLT)
A time to be quiet and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLT)
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21 NLT)
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19-20 NLT)
…We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire… (James 3:3-6 NLT)
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. (Proverbs 26:20 NLT)
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back, (Proverbs 29:11 NLT)
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (Proverbs 29:20 NLT)
Jan Grace 