Articles
Opened By Mistake
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
“...by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”
(Matthew 12:3).
This divine verdict, stated by leading voices in both Old and New Testaments, focuses
attention upon the importance of tongue control.
God abhors evil speaking! Two of the Ten Commandments dealt with sins of the tongue:
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7) and “You shall not
bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
Of the seven things God hates, three are sins of speech: “A lying tongue, a false witness that
speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Want some good advice? Think before you speak! Some perceptive person has pointed out:
“Many things are opened by mistake, but none so frequently as one’s mouth.” The Bible agrees.
It says: “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire” (James 3:5-
A spark can start a fire that quickly rages out of control, destroying life, property, and
resources. Likewise, the tongue can ignite flames which quickly spread, wrecking reputations,
destroying friendships, and breaking hearts. Your religion can be rendered worthless by an
uncontrolled tongue: “If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his
tongue...this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).
Speech is a marvelous gift from God. Properly used it brings Him honor and glory;
improperly used it profanes His great name. A controlled tongue helps insure abundant life. In
the day of judgment we shall face the record of our words. “Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord” (Psa. 19:14). ~ Joe R. Barnett
