1 Peter 3:10-11 – For he who would love life and see good days shall restrain his tongue from evil, his lips from speaking deceit; and turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
If we will walk in obedience to the Lord and allow God’s divine principles to govern our lives, then we will be the beneficiaries of God’s continual blessings and provision in every dimension of our lives. One of the most important things we must take hold of is our responsibility before God to govern the things that we say. In Ecclesiastes, the preacher revealed that a fool is swallowed up by his own lips (Ecclesiastes 10:12). We must learn that we are snared, and even destroyed, by the words of our mouth (Proverbs 18:21, 13:3, 12:13,19, 10:21). The person who is right before the Lord will not speak evil with his mouth, and will not utter deceit (Job 27:4). God will cut off the person who allows their tongue to speak proud things (Psalm 12:3).
Yet, on the other hand, if you will speak according to the Word of God and be a person who blesses and does not curse, then the words of your lips will be a health to you; and will keep you from the path of the destroyer (Romans 12:14; Luke 6:28; Psalm 17:4; Proverbs 13:3). The wise person who puts their trust in the Lord will understand the importance and the responsibility of the things that are said; and will call out to God for help, and ask Him to set a watch upon the lips, and to keep the door of his or her mouth (Psalm 141:3).
If we want to abide in the Presence of the Lord and stand in the Heavenly realm of authority, then we must be willing to both understand the appropriate conduct and be obedient to what God expects of us. We are to speak truth in our heart; we cannot backbite with our tongues, nor do evil to our neighbor, nor take up a reproach against him (Psalm 15:1-3). If we will do these things – not rendering curses for cursing, or evil speaking, or slandering with our tongue, but will faithfully speak the words of life and blessing – we will live long and healthy lives (1 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 58:9-11).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
