Psalm 34:11-14 contains a challenge to us:

    Learn to fear the Lord

    Watch your tongue!

    Keep yourself from telling lies

    Turn away from evil

    Do good

    Work hard at living in peace with others

     For a moment look at that second one..."Watch your tongue!"  It doesn't mean to get out a mirror and investigate what your tongue looks like.  Rather it means: "BEWARE" --- "PAY ATTENTION" --- "BE CAREFUL."

     Many people believe we should simply go back and live by the Ten Commandments, which include: "Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." Another version says, "Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God."

      A man told me recently how his young son got angry and spit out these words: "Jesus Christ!" He wasn't calling on the name of Jesus in prayer either.

      Misusing the name of God and Jesus is common in movies, on TV, in general conversation...but certainly not from our mouths, right? Maybe we should have our conversations for a week.  We might hear: "Good Lord!" or "Oh my God!" Normally those words are not offered in prayer, but rather in frustration, anger, or any number of other emotions.

      Jesus said: "Out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks." Much of the language uttered these days is habitual, spoken without thinking, and sometimes it betrays our lack of honor for and relationship with Jesus. That's why the Word says to "WATCH YOUR TONGUE" right after the phrase:

"FEAR THE LORD!"

       Perhaps it's not simply taking God's name in vain that is our tongue problem. For many who would never even consider saying, "Oh my God!" there may be other tongue issues. Perhaps it is that we tear people down, speak derogatorially about others, participate in negative criticism or gossip.

       As we read the gospels and listen to the words of Jesus, we find His language full of hope, encouragement, and challenge to a higher road! 

       Let's join together to WATCH OUR TONGUES!