Nougat 17

There’s a saying, ‘watch what you say lest you have to eat your words’. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to watch our words.

“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The business of tongue taming is crucial in our current season. Some of us are exceptionally loose-lipped regardless of our spiritual or employment status. You know, as well as I do, that there are some people for whom even the most casual greetings becomes a space to generate gossip. And in the absence of material, we (the gossip) blatantly begin fishing for fodder to take to the next unsuspecting person.

Tongue taming isn’t only about gossip though it’s one major issue. There are those who are always name-dropping or turning the conversation around to themselves. Never met such people? Be thankful;, but let’s also check our own lives; for it could be that we are culprits.

When we speak about even the most trivial things, are we inclined to mention that one ‘important person’ we met, were with or what they said/did/advised? It’s nice to know we know such people; but do not always have to advertise it.

-Does the conversation around us need to be improved with a personal perspective/story?

-Are we often interrupting to insert our own points of view or experiences?

Pretty soon, it gets stale, and folks might begin to disappear from around us.

Moreover, we are encouraged to engage in wholesome activities. That includes what we say, and not just our actions. Our witness of God includes all aspects of our lives. And unfortunately for many of us, we don’t get a vacation from our witness – someone is impacted positively or negatively by our lives. So let’s make it positive

Thankfully, there is the flip side. While lying, gossip/slander, constant criticism, self centred chatter, idle jest, etc., can prove detrimental to our spiritual life, a soft answer, encouraging words, praise (both praise to God and praising others), supportive words and wise counsel are boosters.

We all (well, hopefully most of us) have that one person to whom we turn – here on earth – for good counsel. We may also seek out particular persons when we’re down, for with a word or few, they can change our perspective and mood. We can each be such person. Being a Barnabas doesn’t require being born with the name. It can be a choice to be a daughter or son of encouragement. Furthermore the Fruit of God’s Spirit can be manifested through words as well as deeds; so our lips might be positively engaged.

And we know that the absolutely best way to keep our lips and mouth out of trouble is through prayer. Yes, we pray to stay away from implicating ourselves with our chatter; we pray for Wisdom in dire circumstances or to share with others; we pray to live the Fruit of God’s Spirit, especially with our hearts; and we pray for others, allowing us to strengthen our faith while being agents of God’s transformation! I think that’s a good way to occupy our mouths, how about you?

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May all we seek be found in Christ