“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3, ESV)
The Bible is full of admonitions to be careful what you say and how you say it. Surprisingly, we tend to overlook many of these passages. Colossians 4:6 explains that the faithful person should “always be gracious in speech”. James 3:10 warns that blessing and cursing should not come the same holy mouth! Ephesians 4:29 adds further that “no evil talk should come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear”. On the contrary, scriptures also make clear that sinful people use their mouth, speech, and lips to give disservice to God. Proverbs 26:28 cautions you that a flattering mouth will ruin things. The book of Proverbs also explains how deceit, adultery, and other sins are borne on the lips of the sinful (Proverbs 20:17, 22:14, etc.). Taken together all these verses form a backdrop to the scripture we will focus on today from Psalm 141:3.
At first glance, Psalm 141:3 is a request to have the Lord “set a guard over my mouth”. Repeating this hope, the writer finishes the verse with equal request: “keep watch over the door of my lips!”. Taken in its entirety, this verse contains two full requests for God to help regulate the words one speaks and the way the faithful person utters them. Too often, even faithful people forget the power of their words. Caught up in emotion, it is so easy to be overly harsh with one’s tone. In pain, you might pop off with angry words. While in a rush, your sentences may come off as combative or demanding. Psalm 141:3 contains the hope that the Lord may help you to “guard” or “watch” what you say and how you say it.
In the middle of a counseling session, the husband turned to his wife and said, “I like the way you do up your hair in the morning, and dress in classy outfits.” As he finished these words, his wife said, “But??????”. Even though her husband just gave her two compliments, she was waiting for him to be critical while adding a “but” to his compliments. She didn’t fully appreciate his compliments, while expecting him to end the sentence with criticism. He didn’t realize that sometimes his perfect compliments were darkened with “but”, and then a series of complaints against his wife’s actions. Both husband and wife in this session were highly critical of each other, because of the words they chose (him) and the assumptions they based on those words (her). After a number of counseling sessions, the pastor helped both to see how their words and tone and assumptions were affecting and damaging their relationship and ruining their love.
I bet if you asked your spouse, sister, mother, or best friend to tell you when your words cut deeply, you would be surprised at the power of your words to hurt another. You may even have desired to lovingly correct that person but did it in with an unloving manner. There are so many ways that the words we choose or the attitude with which we speak can be harsh or critical or unloving….. even when we don’t mean to damage the soul of the other. Again, that’s the power of our mouths, lips, and words. They can bless or they can curse; they can encourage or destroy.
In a small town, a teacher once called a bright student 'lazy' in front of the class. She wanted to push this young man to work harder. He had so much potential! Despite her caring tone, the words dug deep, causing the young man to lose motivation. She had meant to encourage him to work harder and succeed, but the unintended consequence was his lifelong struggle with self-esteem. Words, even framed in love, can still wound others profoundly if we are not mindful of our delivery.
In an interview with the famous singer, a reporter commented on Karen Carpenter’s weight. Though Karen had a beautiful voice, wonderful personality, and happy disposition, the comment bothered her deeply. In response to the reporter’s comments, she began to be obsessed with her weight. She became anorexic. Constantly in fear of being seen by her fans as “chubby”, Karen lost so much weight that her organs gave out. When she died, some reports list her weight at 77 pounds, others less. Even at that weight, Karen thought herself obese and unpretty.
You can’t stop others from taking your words wrongly or making wrong assumptions about your meaning. Communication is always fraught with the potential for error. However, you can ask God to help you “guard your mouth” and “watch over your lips”. The Holy Spirit has the power to help you perceive the effect of your words or give you the right words to say in the moment. Ecclesiastes 3:7 provides encouragement that God help you know when to speak and when to be silent! God cares about the words you choose and your method of delivery. When you need the right words, ask God for help! When you need to get a point across, stop and say a silent prayer beforehand. God can give you the perfect words at the perfect time when you need them!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Oh, Lord my God! Grant me the right words for the right moment today! Remind me to listen when I need to understand. Remind me to speak when the time is right. Help me to perceive the power of my words and attitude!
I thank you for all the words of the Bible. How perfect they are for learning wisdom! I am constantly amazed at the depth of those holy words! May I treat the scriptures with reverence and respect!
Today, I want to honor You with the right words. I desire to reach out to others with words that convey my love of Jesus. Give me the perfect words to help another soul today! Give me a heart that softens for those in need. Teach me to respect all those with whom I share today.
I am concerned about these people in this moment: _______________________ . I bring them to Your attention hoping that they may find a connection with You, a direction that is holy, an attitude that is faithful, and a desire that is godly. This world has a way of numbing one’s mind while dimming one’s vision. The words people choose can be so disheartening. The way of the world can bring disillusion and division. Help me to make a difference in my world! Help me to be faithful even if others are faithless. Grant me a loving disposition to enhance my steps.
In Jesus Christ, I pray. In humility, I come before Your throne of grace! Amen.
At first glance, Psalm 141:3 is a request to have the Lord “set a guard over my mouth”. Repeating this hope, the writer finishes the verse with equal request: “keep watch over the door of my lips!”. Taken in its entirety, this verse contains two full requests for God to help regulate the words one speaks and the way the faithful person utters them. Too often, even faithful people forget the power of their words. Caught up in emotion, it is so easy to be overly harsh with one’s tone. In pain, you might pop off with angry words. While in a rush, your sentences may come off as combative or demanding. Psalm 141:3 contains the hope that the Lord may help you to “guard” or “watch” what you say and how you say it.
In the middle of a counseling session, the husband turned to his wife and said, “I like the way you do up your hair in the morning, and dress in classy outfits.” As he finished these words, his wife said, “But??????”. Even though her husband just gave her two compliments, she was waiting for him to be critical while adding a “but” to his compliments. She didn’t fully appreciate his compliments, while expecting him to end the sentence with criticism. He didn’t realize that sometimes his perfect compliments were darkened with “but”, and then a series of complaints against his wife’s actions. Both husband and wife in this session were highly critical of each other, because of the words they chose (him) and the assumptions they based on those words (her). After a number of counseling sessions, the pastor helped both to see how their words and tone and assumptions were affecting and damaging their relationship and ruining their love.
I bet if you asked your spouse, sister, mother, or best friend to tell you when your words cut deeply, you would be surprised at the power of your words to hurt another. You may even have desired to lovingly correct that person but did it in with an unloving manner. There are so many ways that the words we choose or the attitude with which we speak can be harsh or critical or unloving….. even when we don’t mean to damage the soul of the other. Again, that’s the power of our mouths, lips, and words. They can bless or they can curse; they can encourage or destroy.
In a small town, a teacher once called a bright student 'lazy' in front of the class. She wanted to push this young man to work harder. He had so much potential! Despite her caring tone, the words dug deep, causing the young man to lose motivation. She had meant to encourage him to work harder and succeed, but the unintended consequence was his lifelong struggle with self-esteem. Words, even framed in love, can still wound others profoundly if we are not mindful of our delivery.
In an interview with the famous singer, a reporter commented on Karen Carpenter’s weight. Though Karen had a beautiful voice, wonderful personality, and happy disposition, the comment bothered her deeply. In response to the reporter’s comments, she began to be obsessed with her weight. She became anorexic. Constantly in fear of being seen by her fans as “chubby”, Karen lost so much weight that her organs gave out. When she died, some reports list her weight at 77 pounds, others less. Even at that weight, Karen thought herself obese and unpretty.
You can’t stop others from taking your words wrongly or making wrong assumptions about your meaning. Communication is always fraught with the potential for error. However, you can ask God to help you “guard your mouth” and “watch over your lips”. The Holy Spirit has the power to help you perceive the effect of your words or give you the right words to say in the moment. Ecclesiastes 3:7 provides encouragement that God help you know when to speak and when to be silent! God cares about the words you choose and your method of delivery. When you need the right words, ask God for help! When you need to get a point across, stop and say a silent prayer beforehand. God can give you the perfect words at the perfect time when you need them!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Oh, Lord my God! Grant me the right words for the right moment today! Remind me to listen when I need to understand. Remind me to speak when the time is right. Help me to perceive the power of my words and attitude!
I thank you for all the words of the Bible. How perfect they are for learning wisdom! I am constantly amazed at the depth of those holy words! May I treat the scriptures with reverence and respect!
Today, I want to honor You with the right words. I desire to reach out to others with words that convey my love of Jesus. Give me the perfect words to help another soul today! Give me a heart that softens for those in need. Teach me to respect all those with whom I share today.
I am concerned about these people in this moment: _______________________ . I bring them to Your attention hoping that they may find a connection with You, a direction that is holy, an attitude that is faithful, and a desire that is godly. This world has a way of numbing one’s mind while dimming one’s vision. The words people choose can be so disheartening. The way of the world can bring disillusion and division. Help me to make a difference in my world! Help me to be faithful even if others are faithless. Grant me a loving disposition to enhance my steps.
In Jesus Christ, I pray. In humility, I come before Your throne of grace! Amen.