Bridle your tounge!

"But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled lust, let it not be even named among you, as it becomes saints; and filthiness and foolish talking, or jesting, which are not convenient; but rather thanksgiving. For this ye are [well] informed of, knowing that no fornicator, or unclean person, or person of unbridled lust, who is an idolater, has inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with vain words, for on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:3-6)

In Ephesians 5:3-6 we have serious instructions about our Christian behavior and conversation. Making puns with the Word of God is a hateful and sinful habit. Slang expressions are most unbecoming in a Christian. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6).

There is the boasting tongue —  used by the proud. There is the lying tongue —  used by the untruthful. There is the murmuring tongue — used by the discontented. There is the irreverent tongue  —  used by the sceptic.

Remarks and conversations of a light character weaken the mind and defile the conscience. "Set a watch, Ο Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" prayed the Psalmist, and so may each of us, young and old. What we see, hear and read leave impressions on our hearts and memory which are never completely erased.

Idle chatter leads to gossip, and gossip leads to scandal. Oh, be careful and bridle your tongue! Check the outflow. If it is the product of the new nature in you, then let it flow spontaneously (James 1:26). Words from the lips of some are as a sword to hurt (Prov. 12:18); from the lips of others they are as a honeycomb to give joy and health (Prov. 16:24).

W.S.