At times I listen in on a conversation and realize, I should keep my mouth shut, this is none of my business. But as things progress I start to think, I have some great insights to add, and these folks need them. Then I say something that was neither great nor needed. Once again, betrayed by my tongue.

David described his efforts to keep speech in check: I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth…I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.

Sound familiar? I too want to hold my tongue, but the fire burns and I blurt out something stupid.

A later frustrated writer spoke directly to a wicked tongue: What will God do to you, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Even the promised wrath of God fails to hold the tongue in check.

Thanks to the megaphone of social media, tongues cause more damage than ever. Not sure the world possesses enough arrows to shoot all those who deserve one.

All I can do is ask the Holy Spirit to control my tongue, then help me to apologize quickly when I babble out something hurtful.

Psalm 39 & 120 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Girl with red hat