Tongue Control

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 KJV

*May the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in God's site. Many times people kill bonds, ruin opportunities, misrepresent, and ruin trust based on what they say. May God help guard and guide our tongues, and may we surrender it to Him.

Spirit Over Mind and Mouth

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

* So, it's no secret that this election has brought about some stinking thinking... I am even holding back my fleshly thoughts as I type this. However, we must learn to gain control over our minds in order to govern our mouths and actions. Whatever we think and say can either line up with or go against the knowledge we have of God,  and knowing who He is... We must take captive of our thoughts in order to make them line up with His word, which will activate our faith. To be transparent,  I am a continuous work in progress with this... However, I am happy for victories in not saying what I always feel because I see some ugly and fake things daily among people who claim to connect with you or who are down right against you. Join me as we heal and move forward together in capturing the mind, which aids in dictating our words, in order to avoid blocking the truth and your blessings.

Tongue Talk

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

One of the things I continue to work on is my thoughts becoming my words. For the most part, I have mastered holding my tongue except when it comes to race relations and sensitive, personal areas. I absolutely cannot stand when another race tries to make a group outside of their's feel inferior. This is based off my own healing process that I work through due to my experience, but I can become very disgusted quickly. In my transparency with you,  I want you to think of ways your thoughts have manifested into words. Now,  let's work together on how to focus on turning those things into positives, or how we can refrain from blurting things out. Sometimes telling people how you feel in the heat of the moment does more harm than good. Even if you mean well,  ask yourself is it necessary or is it what God wants you to say?

Tongue Talking

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

*Sometimes saying nothing at all can create more peace than opening your mouth...There are times when comments aren't necessary, and when your opinion or experience is not a fact that will help the situation. Sometimes a listening ear goes a long way versus a scornful word. God reminds us that fewer words can provide more clarity and peace than the rambling of the tongue. After all, there is life and death in the power of the tongue...Use your words to create life, and when you know it won't help than choose to lovingly stay quiet. We all could take the opportunity to think before we speak, and learn to speak life into others as guided by God. We must also be selective in our thinking to help us when we are speaking, as well as consistent in allowing God to guide our hearts and mouths. Meditate on the box your words put you in, and exam how they have effected others...Now, make a change. It is never too late...

Proverbs Motivation: Mouth Control

Proverbs 18:1-8 (ESV)
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, 2 but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, 3 and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; 4 the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked 5 or to deprive the righteous of justice. A fool's lips walk into a fight, 6 and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, 7 and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
8 they go down into the inner parts of the body.

*Notice how God used eight verses to zone in on consequences and behaviors that are all developed from what comes out of your mouth, which first began in the development of your thoughts. Also notice how He concludes with depicting how meekness has more of an impact then being aggressive, abrasive, overpowering, or ignorant towards understanding the mentality of others. In the Bible, eight signifies a new beginning, and God wants us to divide and concur our old habits (as seven stands for completion, and the behaviors and consequences are depicted in verses 1-7). Yet, we should find a new beginning (referencing verse eight) once we agree to allow the Father to align our words, which begins with aligning our thoughts. What you say often coincides with what you are thinking. How is the reflection of your brain depicted through your tone and words? Better yet, how are your words and tone depicting how you represent God, and what you are truly believing and applying daily? No wonder so many have trouble communicating, or moving forward because their words and mindset don't align with where they are trying to get to... Don't allow this to be you...May the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in God's sight.

You and Your Mouth

James 3:7-9 (NIV)

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in Gods likeness.

*It's so easy to speak poorly about individuals, especially when they have done you wrong. It's as though humans are accustom to scrutinizing others, and placing people under a microscope to find something to scrutinize. It's even easier for some to utilize negative words against scenarios and discuss our flaws rather then embrace yourself and look for the positivity. Yes, we live in a negative world and sure people upset us. However, we must view people the way God sees them and realize their value and considers the fact that we are made in His image. We are also told that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). However, how can you sharpen and shun at the same time? How can we confuse walking in love with cursing an individual? Call those things as they are not and learn to watch your mouth...You could be talking  yourself out of a blessings, acting rude toward someone u may need to use, or underestimating the power of God to manifest.

Less of Me and More of You

Ecclesiastes 2:22-26 ESV
What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind...

*Today, I was led to give u more word to start off your week. Ask yourself what are u working for, and who do u put your trust in? Is it that bet u made about tonight's game? Are u living to only pay bills, and struggle day to day? Even more importantly, why are u struggling? God promises us life more abundantly (Ephesians 3:20), so why are u living in turmoil to only make or do the bare minimum to go through more turmoil? Perhaps it is time to evaluate if u are truly putting God first and living according to His will. Ask Him how to handle your money, what to do for your career, how to spend your leisure time, and whether or not you are cursing yourself with the words u speak. Do u even consult and seek Him first? (Matt. 6:33)...He wants to give u advice on ALL things, but u must first trust Him enough to ask for it without making the first move based on your own judgment. Perhaps u can't get ahead because u have forgotten who should be the head of your life...

Speak and It Shall Be...

Psalms 141:3 (NIV)

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips...

*People are so use to give their opinion, advice, or recommendation...It often comes out naturally, especially if we think we are enlightening and/or helping someone. However, we need to be more in tune as to what should be said if anything at all. Remember, an opinion is just what it implies: an opinion...Better known as a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge (as listed in Webster's Dictionary). Therefore, it is often not necessary to give your opinion even when asked. Remember, your thoughts are not those of the Father neither are your ways (Isaiah 55:8); therefore, how can u speak on something u do not have full knowledge of and have not been led to speak on by God? Perhaps He has a plan that u never dreamed of, but u putting your two cents in it could be the icing on the cake toward's ruin. Remember, there is life and death in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, if u are going to speak at all, speak life into the situation. After all, you have the power to make changes based on what u say...Why not speak with a positive force? Has being negative ever gotten u where u want to really be in life?

Unnecessary Arguments

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...

*Have you ever had a discussion with an individual who felt that going to church was not important? Perhaps you have encountered people who feel that people take the Bible too seriously or misconstrued its meaning. You may have even had someone say it is not all about church or what is printed in the Bible bc it doesn't include everything anyway, but it is more about your relationship with God...Yet, interesting enough, that very person who felt that way barely takes the time to connect to God,  doesn't really understand the capability of living godly, or may bend the rules in order to still enjoy unholy things. These are lofty things that God often refers to...things that are meant to derail you, distract you from your walk or from being saved, or even meant to confuse you in order to remove you from a strong base and make u more vulnerable to the enemy. Don't allow lofty conversations of those being used by the enemy to keep you from fully exploring the truth for yourself. Also, if u are a participant don't allow yourself to be used. The point is whether or not u are truly obeying God and avoiding sin. People who feel persecuted by their actions are often the main ones who are willing to argue about a point, which can also include Christians. Ignore strife and lofty information that is only meant for the purpose of derailing u and explore the truth for yourself. We all know what it's like to be lost, go in a circle of frustration, and miss your blessing. Do u REALLY know what it's like to COMPLETELY trust in God and win for a change?

Your Mouth vs His

The Insecurities of Judgment

Matt. 7:1
“Judge not, that you be not judged.

*Always remember that when u point a finger to judge someone else, u have three pointing back at u. The act of judgment is just the display of an insecure person who is trying to shift the spotlight of persecution off of themselves. Fix your issues before you try to fix someone else's. Remember, it is hard to take care of your own home when u consistently visiting and evaluating someone else's ...

You are What You Speak

Romans 12:21

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.

*Many ppl give in to evil, even if they are unaware of their acceptance for it. For example, everytime we tell ourselves that we are just human and are going to make mistakes, that's opening the door for the acceptance of making more mistakes in the future in that same area. Now, this is not to say that we are perfect, but your words are promoting future failure rather than just giving it your all and allowing God to naturally catch u when u fall...Don't promote the fall, and then continuously be surprised when it happens. (Trust me, I've done this too.) Even the admiration of evil or wrong doing is being accepting towards it. For instance, if u admire a star for having a baby out of wedlock, applauding a person who went off on someone, or admiring someone who promotes sex and/or negativity is the ability to be overcome by evil. Instead of falling in line with everyone else's acknowledgments, let's overshadow them with the promotion of good, the acceptance of what's right, and the desire to fill ourselves with Godliness...They say u are what u eat. God says u are what u speak...enjoy your Saturday!

The Wonders of Words

Proverbs 12:18

18 There is one whose rash words
are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings
healing.

*There is so much power in what we say and how we say it. Ever wonder why someone reacts to your words in a manner you didn't expect? Perhaps it is the wording u chose and the tone in which u provided. This doesn't necessarily due to negative usage...sometimes we give the wrong impression bc u have not learned how to cater your communication towards different audiences. For instance, the manner in which u talk to a child is not how u should speak to an adult. The way u make talk to your partner is not how u should speak to another person of the same sex. Perhaps u may have down to earth mannerisms that should be used for those with the same behaviors, while others may require more TLC when u speak with them. The best way to know how to provide healing through your words rather then strife is through seeking God...ask Him how to talk to ppl; examine His mannerisms in how he conducted His conversations. The Father tells us to walk in love, but we often try to add are own personal touch of attitude or bluntness to drive a point home. However, that is not always necessary. Communication is definitely an art form, and there are so many ways to paint the picture. Let's go beyond using primary colors aka speaking in one consistent manner, and let's learn to diversify our color palette. ;-)

The Power of the Tongue

This one hit home only a moment ago:

Matt. 5:37-"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

The words we speak not only hold power, but plant a seed in our lives. We can turn one thought into an extreme of different interpretations based on one word alone. Think about it: I can tell u I like something, and u may think I am trying to throw off a hint, clue, or u may over-analyze it to have a meaning that is totally different from my thought process initially. This is why it is important to speak the word only, be clear and concise in your communication, and don't beat around the bush. Otherwise, there is room for not just miscommunication, but an implant of a weed in your harvest of positivity.

Freedom of Communication Should = Godly Communication

Galations 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

We have the freedom to love and edify one another. We build each other through the love of Christ and learning how to effectively communicate with one another. However, our method of edification should always line up with the word. It is often easy to be hard on your brother or sister in Christ bc our subconscious often believes that Christians are suppose to be perfect and live upright consistently. This is the trick of the world, which allows others to look for failure and hope for the fall. However, let's remember that we are constantly growing in Christ, and we are ALL learning to transition from worldy behavior to Godly behavior. Please, know that no one will ever reach perfection, but that doesn't provide an excuse for slacking or or judging. Let's be the iron that sharpens one another in order to not just ensure our success, but to provide the true definition of agape love and the success of others.

#LoveConquersAll