Guide Your Mind-Guard Your Heart-Grace Your TongueChikamu

Control over one’s tongue is a mark of Christian maturity. How well you are able to control your tongue is truly a litmus test of how well you have guarded your heart. The most mature among us exhibit the most con­trol in the area of the tongue. The words that come out of a person’s mouth are the defining gauge as to whether that person is a toddler Christian, a third-grade Christian, an adolescent Christian, or a full-grown and mature disciple of Christ.

When a baby is just learning to speak, everything that precious little one says sounds like gibberish. The words that a toddler expresses are nonsensical sounds and deliver no deep meaning to anyone at all except perhaps the baby’s adoring mother. Due to an inability to communicate effectively, a baby would never be asked to make a speech at the UN or to anchor the network news. Neither would a toddler be given the opportu­nity to preach in front of thousands.

If you desire to be used by God for greatness in His kingdom, then you need to learn to control your tongue. The Lord will give amazing opportu­nities to serve Him, and He will open magnificent doors, for those whose tongues are fully under the control of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me remind you again that your tongue weighs only about two ounces, but it has the power to control your entire life, and its force can be felt for generations. If you struggle in the area of your tongue, put the bridle on. Give yourself verbal boundaries and refuse to say another neg­ative word. 

As you begin to speak only positive responses and positive opinions, you will become a positive person. If you determine that you will never again worry out loud but will always speak words of trust and faith, you might actually even adjust your personality bent.

Personal Application: What do the words you use—and the words you choose not to say—indicate about your level of maturity in Christ?