Guard Your Tongue

Proverbs 13:3 reads: “The one who guards his mouth (thinking before he speaks) protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide (and chatters without thinking) comes to ruin. I have been guilty of such things. And I have justified my lack of prudence. For the book of James (the brother of Jesus) says the tongue is a fire (James 3:6), and it’s one of the only things that we truly can control in this life is, the things we say; and do not say.

The Mind of the Flesh

I’m sure you’ve said things before that you wish you had not said, but unfortunately you cannot take that back. So, who was that that said those things? Or what was that? Dare I say that was your flesh. Our flesh is at enmity with God and the things of God, along with the spirit. For it reads in Romans 8:7 “The mind of the flesh (with its sinful pursuits) is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot.

Direct Opposition

So, who are you guarding your mouth from? Your flesh. “For this sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the (desire of the) Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these (two, the sinful nature and the Spirit) are in direct opposition to each other (continually in conflict), so that you (as believers) do not (always) do whatever (good things) you want to do. – Galatians 5:17.

The Battle

Just as it reads in the age-old story of Cain & Abel, when God spoke to Cain saying, “sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you (to overpower you) but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7). It’s the same battle for us today.

The Struggle

So be careful and be very watchful over the things you say. The things you say about others, and the things you say about yourself. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of the (present) darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Our Hero, the Savior

But, because of His love He has come to set us free. For Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy, I came that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance” (to the full, till it overflows) - John 10:10. So fight the good fight, and when you endure till the end, the reward will be greater than anything this world can offer. And if you do fall during this lifelong journey of a battle between the Spirit and the flesh, but sure to confess it, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness and repent (1^st John 1:9). For we are made righteous not by our own works, but by the work already done on the cross (1^st Corinthians 5:17). The Lord Jesus has set us free. Free from sin, and the eternal consequences thereof. “And he whom the Son has set free is free indeed”. -John 8:36