Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jan 7th, 2014 Oh Be Careful Little Mouth… by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Genesis 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 13 – 14; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

Scripture Memorization for January – Joy in Serving Jesus

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34

Read the “0107 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read  “7 Commitments for Finishing Well” by Pastor Paul Chappell

Read a previous post from this passage – “God Will Provide Himself A Lamb”

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.” (Genesis 21:9-11)

We read back in Genesis 16, Sarah was doubting God about her having a child in her old age. She convinced Abraham to take Hagar as his wife. The result of her wrong speaking is still felt today between the two sons of Abraham. We also see in Genesis 12:13, Sarah lying to the Egyptians about being Abraham’s wife. As a result, a plague was sent to Pharaoh and all  his house. But not to blame Sarah only, there are many other examples of harm resulting from lying.

If you’re honest with yourself, I’m sure you can think of a time when you lied or said something that you later regretted. I remember, (before salvation, not that it makes it right) saying things about a person that affected others. After salvation, I realized that the things I was saying, was just a criticism of her her personality type, which was very different than mine. But most importantly, I realized it was wrong for me to say what I said. For years I prayed for forgiveness, and to have the opportunity to apologize. I really thought I would never see this person again. Well, by the grace to God, I did see her and God allowed me to apologize. I think it would have been better not to say anything bad at all. As children we learned the saying: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. How untrue. A black eye hurts for a while, but lies and poorly chosen words will last forever. Maybe there’s been a time when you allowed your child to do something that you wish you could take back.  Now you look back and say,”What was I thinking?”

We should always guard our mouths, because the devil is just waiting to use it for his purpose.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:…” (Philippians 1:27)

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19)

This New Year, let’s use our mouths to praise and glorify God.

Just a thought!

Thank You

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3:6)