Watch Your MouthIhe Atụ

God hears everything we say including compliments and complaints. Be careful to guard your mouth and not say anything that contradicts God’s will for you as it relates to his promises in Christ Jesus. Our mouths set us back when we speak from our emotions and feelings. 

Our mouths propel us forward when we speak God’s promises in faithful expectation. It is vital for anyone who says they believe and trust God to watch their mouths as His plan of good and purpose is brought to fruition in their lives. The LORD told Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan (the land that he already promised to give the sons of Israel). 

The twelve spies went on a forty-day excursion to learn more about the land, and when they returned at the end of the forty days they reported to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel the land’s abundant prosperity flowing with milk and honey. 

The spies even showed them the land’s fruit, a single cluster of grapes, pomegranates, and figs, but right after complimenting the land’s produce and abundance they complained about the people in the land. Caleb quieted the people. 

That is interesting to read. I believe Caleb was aware that the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Caleb spoke life and agreed with God’s word by saying, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” But the other spies except Joshua continued speaking death and defeat thus creating a chain reaction with the Israelites to murmur against Moses, Aaron, and the LORD. 

By not watching their mouths the Israelites who complained died in the wilderness. By not watching their mouths the Israelites who complained, their children were set back forty years before they entered the Promised Land. By not watching their mouths the ten spies who brought back the bad report of the land died by a plague before the LORD. 

Caleb and Joshua remained alive out of the men who went to spy out the land. Additionally, God promised that they would enter into the Promised Land and their descendants would take possession of it. Let this be a reminder to guard your lips, check your heart, and watch your mouth!