Bridle Your Tongue

Bridle: to curb, restrain, hold back, control, rein in, rein back.

Tongue: a manner/way of speaking, language, choice of words.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

James 1:26 AMPC

Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.

Proverbs 18:21TPT

For, “He that would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

1 Peter 3:10 KJ21

The Message Version

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he’s asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

Mere words?

No, not just mere words, for the unseen word holds great power. God spoke, and the world was formed. Jesus spoke, miracles happened. Furthermore, as we speak, our words breed life or death.

I would like to say that I have nailed this: the bridling of my tongue; however, that would prove to be a lie, for my tongue has been unbridled many times, revealing a sarcastic edge. Sarcasm is defined as the use of irony to mock or convey contempt, ridicule, scorn, bitterly cutting, caustic, corrosive…and don’t I know it.

The use of sarcasm in my formative years had proven to be a survival tactic. Being quick-witted was imperative to my preservation. I learned words could cut deeply; especially, under the guise of humor. The rain of sarcasm showered my heart, and fenced my emotions within it’s mockery. In retort, there was no rein on my sarcastic humor. My tongue raced unbridled.

Bit by bit, I have come to understand the power of words as seen through the Word Himself. I have prayed many times over the years for the Lord to round my tongue, to take away the sharp, cutting edge of my grooming. Gradually, I am learning to bridle my manner of speaking.

Many of us can recall the moment words wounded us. Whether, they came from parents, kids at school, teachers, or in marriage, they happened, nonetheless. (Maybe, the words were even self-inflicted?) The deadly impact of such words can cut deeply, hobbling our gait, breaking our stride.

Unfortunately, such distressful words may have even been uttered from our own lips toward others. Words we have callously spoken, causing those around us to stumble.

In contrast, words of life, create life. Cantering enthusiasm empowers us to overcome existing hurdles. It is with great gladness, we remember the person who spoke life over us, the one who applauded our efforts, blessed us with life-giving words, that spurred us on to run the race. Yes, these words motivated our spirit to giddy-up and go.

Upon reflection, may we rein in our choice of words, and think before we speak, for within mere words lies the power of life or death. Let us be determined to bridle our tongue, and unbridle a blessing.

Speak life!

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:10 ESV

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:34b NKJV

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

Ephesians 4:29 AMP

Bless those who curse you.

Luke 6:28 NIV

“But if you will listen, I say to you, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When you are mistreated and harassed by others, accept it as your mission to pray for them.To those who despise you, continue to serve them and minister to them. If someone takes away your coat, give him as a gift your shirt as well. When someone comes to beg from you, give to that person what you have. When things are wrongly taken from you, do not demand they be given back. However you wish to be treated by others is how you should treat everyone else.”

Luke 6:27-31 TPT

Rather, speak the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15a ESV

Prayer

Cleanse us, Oh God.

Touch our lips…

“Look. This coal has touched your lips.

Gone your guilt,

your sins wiped out.”

And then I heard the voice of the Master:

“Whom shall I send?

Who will go for us?”

I spoke up,

“I’ll go.

Send me!”

Isaiah 6: 7-8 MSG

Yes, Father, cleanse my lips, that I may speak words of life for You.

I repent of all the deadly words I have ever spoken. Forgive me, Father. Please, remove the sharp edge from my tongue, allowing me to speak the truth in love.

In the Name of Jesus, I silence the mocking spirit, and remove it from my bloodline. I place mockery’s megaphone under the blood of Jesus, and declare it removed by the hand of God. Wash over me, Lord, with Your living water, purge me of any lingering infection, applying Your healing balm to the sting of every laceration these words have caused within me.

I lift a resounding declaration, as I decree, “I am who Jehovah says I am!”

“Nay,” to you mockery and sarcasm, in Jesus’ Name!

Dear God, I release Your healing power over all of those I have hurt by my words, as well. I speak life over them, in the Name of Jesus. Father, remove the sting from their hearts that I have caused by my deadly words.

Instead of mockery and sarcasm, I call in peace, the Shalom of Heaven.

I declare that the war these words caused within me is now over.

I no longer desire to speak death; instead, I yearn to encourage the brethren. Take the coal to my lips, O Lord. Renew me, that I may be a speaker of life, sensitive to each need, imparting words full of compassion and grace.

May my service unto You be pure… full of life.

Send me, Lord. I’ll go… blessing others in Your Name.

In this journey, I will purpose to bridle my tongue, as we ride out together.

Amen

Words matter!