Watch Your Mouth!

What is it with the need for people to gossip? Why are so many quick to spout out words that have never been documented as fact? Especially when those words hurt others more than they help! Especially when the sentences carelessly being passed along are actually filled with lots more death than life! Truth sets people free but speculation only adds up to rumors and individuals who participate in this form of conversation are nothing more than busybody talebearers.
What is particularly embarrassing is when the Jesus people are no better when it comes to the jargon jettisoning from their jaws than those who claim to have no conscience. It is downright diabolical the manner in which Christians can slip the sin of a sloppy tongue even into their acts of worship. It makes me ask, “Are we praying for each other or preying upon each other?”
“Did you hear about so and so’s private life,” should not be disguised as a spiritual supplication. If any sentence you use ever starts with, “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this,” then your first clue should be don’t say it!
I have been preaching from the book of James these days at The Lighthouse Church and I have to tell you that this author doesn’t mess around when it comes to putting walk into the talk of your faith. James says that if you tear down your fellow Brother or Sister without just cause – without having the whole truth – without first confronting your family member face to face – you are out of line! James 2:8 reads, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” The royal rule goes back to the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:18 where it says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Only God can genuinely judge the heart of another and only He can read our motives without mistake or fault. The Lord can even do so without hypocrisy and without spite. But you and I not so much. We are in no position to play god! Actually, it is our pride that drives us to put others down so that we might lift our own lives up. Pride is the pursuit of having to be more than the next person. Is there an area where you have selfishly set yourself up as judge and jury? Could there be someone that you might have to apologize to because you haven’t been an advocate as much as an adversary in their world?
Don’t be one of those in the crowd who are just too loud and guilty of flatly ignoring God’s word. Freedom comes when we zip our lip and allow the Spirit to sanctify our tongue. Be slow to speak and quick to decide whether what you are about to communicate is really in the best interest of the one who is the subject of the sentence. Too many wounded warriors have been injured by friendly fire. The one who should have spoken up for us was guilty of whacking us to oblivion with their loose lips. God is better than any story you could muster on your own. If it is going to be, “Once upon a time,” let your yarn be filled with grace and let Jesus invade your space so that the finished product doesn’t do somebody in, but surely is a proponent to help them win!