Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NKJV)

Most farm animals seem to know when it is feeding time, calling out in anticipation of the feast. Each species has its own dialect, it seems, which I interrupt as, “Let’s eat -Now!”
There comes a moment, though, that is special, something that is calming to my soul. Once fed, they obey the old admonishment, “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” A hush fills the barn; the only sound heard is that of chewing or pecking, depending upon the structure of the eating apparatus. An almost magic time. A moment to pause, reflect, and marvel at this aspect of God’s creation.
Ah, the mouth. As noted by James, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.” I agree with James, as he added, “My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10)
The mouth/tongue is the source of lying, idolatry, unfaithfulness, cursing, pride, evil, lies, vanity foolishness and flattery. I’m sure gossip is covered in that group somewhere. “Yakity-Yak!”
Some people (like little children) are “all ears.” Gossip is best handled by letting it go in one ear and out the other. Let it go. But, sometimes - all too often - it goes in both ears and out the mouth. A talkity person may be called a “motor mouth.”
I have heard advice given to the overly-mouthy person, something like, “Put a sock in it!” The psalmist phrased it this way: “ I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle . . .” (Psalm 39:1) Another piece of appropriate advice - Be sure the mind is running before throwing the mouth in gear. Speech prior to knowledge is like, “Open mouth, insert foot.” The remedy? “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23) Or, in the Living Bible translation,”Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble.”
A common problem in our society is the prevalence of “potty mouth:” foul, filthy language. You will often find it in company with anger, wrath, malice, and blasphemy, according to Paul. (Colossians 3:8) We are to shun “profane” and vain babblings (2 Tim. 2:16).
Our mouths and our ears interact so closely that it is difficult to listen when the mouth is running. In worship, as in that moment of meditation in the barn at feeding time, we need to pause, listen, reflect, and marvel at God’s creation. There is a time to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
The best way to help another is by listening, not by ‘mouthing off.’ Listening is necessary if we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
Your speech, those words coming out of your mouth, defines who you are. Does it matter? Hear these word of Jesus about -Words. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:34-37)