30/30 Challenge Reading PlanSample

Most of us would probably agree that we need to think more before we speak. James 1:19 says to: …Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak… (AMP). Why? Because our words have power. As Proverbs 18:21 says, the power of life or death is in the tongue.

By studying God’s Word, we can learn what it means to speak life-giving words. The book of James has a lot to say about the words of our mouth. In James 3:2, we’re told that anybody who can control their mouth and never say anything wrong can control everything else about their life. This means that what we say determines our direction in life – it either agrees with what God says and what His plan is, or it doesn’t.

James 3:8 says, “No human being can tame the tongue…” (NIV). But we don’t have to do it alone, and God is not expecting us to control our speech in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is with us to help us do what we need to do and speak in ways that glorify God.

One of the best things we can do is pray the Word over our lives. Here are a few verses that David prayed:

• Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my…Rock and my Redeemer.
• Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
• Psalm 39:1 I will take heed and guard my ways, that I may sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle…

Get more of God’s Word in your heart and it will help you speak life all the time:

Walk It Out

What are you talking about? Ask God to help you be accountable for the words of your mouth. Study James 3 to learn more about how God wants us to use the words of our mouth. He wants to give you His power to tame your tongue: