Mouth Mastery Requires Heart Surgery

PREVIEW: Our words matter! They can either kill or they can give life. What we say can not only destroy others, but it can also destroy us. That is why David asked the Lord to set a guard over his mouth. He knew that only God’s help would enable him to gain mouth mastery. And that help would begin with a changed and cleansed heart. So, what does your mouth reveal about your heart? If we were to play back a tape recording of every conversation you’ve had this week, what would we learn about you? That you have a bitter, angry, hurtful, doubtful heart, or that your heart is faithful, hopeful, and loving? Perhaps like me, you need to ask God to clean up both your heart and your mouth. And if we get God’s help, there isn’t anything we can’t do…even zipping our lips!

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 141:3-5

One researcher has found that the average American has 30 conversations a day and will spend one-fifth of their life talking. Over the course of a year, our conversations could fill sixty-six books at 800 pages each.

So, how come, with so much practice speaking, few of us have ever gained complete or even consistent mastery of the content of our communication?

Think about it: Just a few inflammatory words set off a chain of events that look like World War III in your life. You come home from work tired and cranky, and yell at your wife…she yells at the oldest kid…he yells at little sister…she goes out and kicks the dog…the dog bites the cat…the cat comes in and scratches the baby…the baby rips the head off the Barbie doll.

Wouldn’t it be a whole lot simpler if the husband just ripped off the Barbie’s head himself?

Your words matter! Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that our words can either kill or they can give life. That means what you say can not only destroy others, but they can also destroy you. That is why David asked the Lord to set a guard over his mouth: “Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed.” (Psalm 140:3) David realized he needed a zipper on his speech because of the damage it could cause others as well as himself. He knew how easy it was to be enticed into conversations with those who took no thought to the damage their conversations could inflict: “Take away my lust for evil things; don’t let me want to be with sinners, doing what they do, sharing their delicacies.” (Psalm 140:4) He knew just how easily it would be to unleash a destructive torrent of words that he couldn’t trust himself to keep his tongue in check. That is why he recognized the need for accountability partners: “Let the godly smite me! It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is medicine! Don’t let me refuse it.” (Psalm 140:5) David understood what Jesus said about our words: They reveal what is going on within us. that our words only reveal what is already inside our hearts:

You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. (Matthew 12:34)

That is why control of our mouths must begin with reforming our hearts.

So, what does your mouth reveal about your heart? If we were to play back a tape recording of every conversation you’ve had this week, what would we learn about you? That you have a bitter, angry, hurtful, doubtful heart, or that your heart is faithful, hopeful, and loving?

David knew he would need supernatural help if he were going to get both heart and mouth in the right place with God. That’s why he prayed for Divine help. You and I need to pray that, too, probably every day! We can’t do it alone. I know I can’t—I’m living proof of that. But I believe God will help us if we sincerely ask him. He never encourages us to do something that he is not willing to help with.

And if we get God’s help, there isn’t anything we can’t do…even zipping our lips!