An old saying comes to mind, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." That is good advice, but oh, so hard to follow. We open our mouths and are even surprised ourselves sometimes at the things that come out. Yet how often have we considered that the very words we speak are what we will be judged by. For some of us this is an almost scary thing to contemplate. That we will have to give an accounting for every word we have ever spoken, is not in the forefront of our minds when we spout off. I can think of far too many times I wish someone had duct taped my mouth shut.

Job 6:24 Teach me (inform, show), and I will hold my tongue (to be silent): and cause me to understand (to discern, perceive, know) wherein (how? why? where? what?) I have erred (to stray, to mistake, to morally transgress). It is much easier to continue talking than to actually listen and learn. Anyone who attempts to control the words that they allow to come out of their mouth will soon discover that this is much greater challenge than it initially appears. If we look to the Word of God we will find enlightenment concerning this unruly member within our body.

James 3:2-4 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body; ....we put bits in the mouths of horses and are able to turn about their whole body. ... we steer great ships with a very small helm. If any man among you seem to be religious (ceremonious in worship, pious), and bridleth (to curb) not his tongue, but deceiveth (delude, deceive) his own heart (thoughts, feelings), this man's religion is vain (empty, profitless). James went on concerning the things we say; Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity (injustice): so is the tongue among our members (part of the body), that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Vs.8, But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

We have all experienced times when we have said something that we wish we had not said. We would all like to be able take back an unkind word or criticism, but once its out the damage is already done. It is widely recognized that verbal abuse can often be more harmful than physical abuse. It is often harder to heal the wounds inflicted by words than to recover from a physical assault. There is power in words to promote good or to expedite evil.

Ps. 12:3 The Lord shall cut off (destroy, consume) all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud (insolent) things.

Ps. 34:13 Keep (guard) thy tongue from evil, and thy lips (talk) from speaking guile (fraud, treachery).

Ps. 35:28 And my tongue shall speak (ponder, meditate) of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Ps. 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Ps. 39:1 ...I will take heed (guard, protect) to my ways (mode of action), that I sin not (forfeit, lead astray, condemn) with my tongue (language): I will keep my mouth with a bridle (muzzle), while the wicked (morally wrong, ungodly) is before me.

Ps. 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth (to plot) mischiefs (desire, ruin); like a sharp razor (knife), working deceitfully (treachery).

Ps. 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

Ps. 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words.

Ps. 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Ps. 120:2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Ps. 130:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Prov. 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

1Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile (decoy, trick, deceit).

These are but a sampling of what the Bible says concerning our words. Bearing in mind the words of our Lord in the beginning, that we will be judged by the words that we speak, gives stronger impact to the above verses.

How do we bridle our tongue? By keeping God's commandments. If someone is railing accusations at you, you do not respond in like manner, when faced with evil you love. This is impossible to do in the flesh (our own strength). Our flesh wants to fight it out when we think we are right, or it concerns something we want. Jesus said, "turn the other cheek," "return good for evil," "love your enemies." These are not simply suggestions; they are commandments.

To put them into practice will bring about the death of our flesh, and the growth of our Spirit. We are called as followers of Christ to live according to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, not by our natural reasoning and carnal impulses. To see the manifestation of the Spirit's rule in our lives requires that we die to self.

Keeping the commandments of Jesus brings this to pass. We cannot keep the Lord's commandments except by the power of the Spirit within. We cannot control our own tongue without God's help. It's that simple. Many use theological words and learn to include Bible quotes, but without the power of the Spirit they are empty and void of life.

David said in Ps. 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and talks of judgment. If we would be righteous (just, lawful in accordance with God's law) our words will be a reflection of that. The wisdom from above is far different from the wisdom of this world. God will bring us into a knowledge of all that is Holy, if we will but walk in obedience. To talk of judgment is to pass verdict or sentence. Only God knows the deepest thoughts and intents of the heart, and only God can pass judgment. We are called to be living epistle's read of all men. We are called to daily judge ourselves in accordance with God's Word. It is our responsibility to grow up in Christ Jesus and to discern good from evil by the Spirit. As we walk in the Spirit we will speak wisdom and judgment. Not of this world, or according to the interpretations and traditional beliefs of men, but according to the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Lord desires a people that are more in love with Him than with the things of this world. A people whose desire is to know God; not just the things pertaining to God, not just so that they might appear spiritual and be seen of men. 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue. It is possible to bring our speech into accordance with the knowledge of God.

It is possible to speak directly under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit. To speak without the anointing of the Spirit is to operate from the realm of the flesh. It may soothe the emotions and appease the carnal man; but it will never impart life or healing to the hearer.

We need to be consciously aware of the impact of the words that come out of our mouths. Look at some verses that pertain to taking the Lord's name in vain. This is an area that for the most part is only carnally comprehended. There are much greater ramifications to be found in these verses than simply that swearing is wrong.

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Repeated verbatim in Deuteronomy).

Deut. 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ps. 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Prov. 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

The definition of vain in all these verses is as follows: Vain: desolating; evil (as destructive); literally (ruin); morally guile (crafty, deceitful, cunning); idolatry, uselessness.

If you look up the meaning of name ... it is the position, authority, and character of the Lord God. Guiltless means: to make clean, to acquit, to hold innocent. Most people both in the Church as well as in the world believe that to use the name of the Lord in vain is to swear (i.e. God damn). There is much more to be gleaned from these passages than what we have so readily accepted as the meaning. We have been taught that if we don't swear using the Lord's name we are in compliance and therefore don't give it another thought.

Taking the verse in Proverbs (30) in context go to the beginning of the thought.

Vs. 3-9, I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

To put this in other words based on the definitions found in the Concordance: "I am in want of expert instruction in wisdom. I am unacquainted with and ignorant of the sacred. I have not gone up to heaven or come down. I have no power over the elements of the earth and nature. I am unfamiliar with the position, authority and character of God, as well as the authority, position and character of His Son. Every commandment of God is pure and will refine as gold. He is a protector of all who place their hope and trust in Him. I will not add to or exceed His words of counsel and instruction, that He does not remove me by judgment and correction, rebuking me, that I be found a liar. I have two requests before I die. Take away from me useless idolatry and false talk. Make me neither wealthy nor poor, but rather supply me with the appointed portion necessary to sustain me. Let me not be satisfied to the point of growing weary and let me not be untrue, deceived and found a liar. May I not question or be ignorant of Who the Lord is. May I not try to seize and inherit by deception, to secretly capture the position, authority and character of my God in an evil way."

This same prayer should be the cry of the heart of every believer. To take the name of the Lord in vain is to speak a word in the name of the Lord that He did not authorize you to speak. To promote a teaching or doctrine that He did not command you to teach, that is not in absolute agreement with all of His Word, is taking His name in vain. To set yourself up as His minister to the people, and then proceed to operate from the realm of your own mind is to profane God. To take the name of the Lord in vain, is to speak from the carnal realm and claim that it is God. As believers we need to be consciously aware of all of these things. We will only edify and bring glory to God when we are walking in the Spirit of God. It can only be beneficial for us to meditate and give serious consideration to our words.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-35 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Luke 6:45, 46 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

We should know that when we open our mouths we reveal the manner of spiritual wealth we possess. Our speech exposes whether we are speaking from the wisdom of this world, or the wisdom that comes down from the Father of lights. Our lives are an open book, read of all men. We are charged to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers, lest we deceive our own selves.

It is our responsibility to Keep (guard, protect, maintain) our hearts (understanding, wisdom) with all diligence (watchfulness); for out of it are the issues (source) of life.

It is our responsibility to go beyond lip service (calling Jesus Lord, Lord). We must walk in obedience to all that He has said. It is a sobering thing to consider the responsibility we have been given as believers. We can only be brought into right speaking by the power of the Spirit of God. We can only do this by keeping the great commandment. Matt. 22:37-39, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. If we will do this, we will be brought into compliance with all the other commandments.

To comply with the great commandment requires loving God more than self, giving God the preeminence in our heart that He deserves. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord." Zephaniah 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

May our primary concern be that we be found pleasing in the sight of God. May we bring every thought into the captivity of Christ and may only truth pass our lips.