Taming My Tongue
By Jill BriscoeA time to keep silence, And a time to speak. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:7
I have a problem. I often open my mouth simply to change feet! I’m always saying the wrong thing!
I remember once going to hear a visiting preacher at our church. I was delighted to see two unfamiliar ladies in “my pew.” Our church was small, and visitors were a rarity. I hoped the preacher would be good, and they would like the service and come again. The visiting preacher was not bad ─ he was terrible!
I watched the visitors carefully. The younger lady, looking embarrassed, glanced at the older one. As soon as the service was over, they rose to leave. I leaped around the pew, welcomed them profusely, and said I hoped they wouldn’t judge the fellowship by this one visit.
“The preacher is usually very good,” I said as quietly as I could. “I don’t know where this man came from.”
“I do,” said the older lady icily. “He’s my husband.”
“And he’s my dad,” added the younger women balefully.
This was definitely a time I should have kept silent. Other times, I have kept silent when I knew I should speak up!
“Who has made man’s mouth?” (Ex. 4:11) God asked Moses, when he was busy telling God he couldn’t speak. God knew he could and should: “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (Ex. 4:12).
My tongue needs teaching, too. I need the Lord God to instruct it when to speak and when to stay silent. I need to use it, to ask Him to touch it, and tame it, and turn it into an instrument of blessing!
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