The Tiny Torrent

Reacting out of impulse. Nothing new in my day-to-day. But something I've noticed is that others may not think that someone who is naturally more "shy" can actually be very unwise with her tongue. Such is my case, I am realizing. Though I may hold my tongue (physically), that doesn't keep my heart from having a bad attitude about it, or venting to someone else, or writing something I shouldn't. So I did some studying on the harmful affects of an unbridled tongue (or pen, or "texting fingers", or even heart), and the blessings of one who uses it wisely.

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"Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few." -Ecclesiastes 5:2

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." -James 1:19-20

"Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit." -Psalm 34:14

"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. ...A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. ...The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so." -Proverbs 15:2,4,7

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." -Proverbs 18:21

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless." -James 1:26

"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles." -Proverbs 21:23

"Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." -James 3:4-13

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. ...She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. ...Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31:10,26,30

"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands..." -1 Peter 3:1-5 (This is talking directly to wives, but I believe it can apply to all ladies, single or married, to take the servant's place, and view others first)

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There aren't an awful lot of things in the Scripture that God says are "very precious" to Him, but He counts inward beauty as very precious. So even on those days when I feel like I am the farthest thing from beautiful, the Lord will look at my heart. I want that heart to be made beautiful for Him.

Posterous theme by Cory Watilo