Donna Gaines

It has well been said, “By examining the tongue of the patient, physicians find out the diseases of the body, and philosophers the diseases of the mind.”  By listening to someone talk, you will know what is in his or her heart.  You will know in whom that person trusts.  You won’t have to listen long to make that determination.  It will be very evident.

As Christians, our speech should reflect the fact that we belong to Jesus Christ.  In Ephesians 4:23 Paul exhorts us to be “renewed in the spirit of [our] mind.”  Our thoughts will determine our speech.  The Message states Ephesians 4:29-32 in these modern terms:  ”Watch the way you talk.  Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth.  Say only what helps, each word a gift.  Don’t grieve God.  Don’t break his heart.  His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself.  Don’t take such a gift for granted.  Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.  Be gentle with one another, sensitive.  Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”

We must choose to allow only wholesome words to proceed out of our mouths.  That choice is an act of the will.  It will become less difficult as we continually fill our minds with those things that are good (Phil. 4:8).

Our Father is equipping us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).  We must take prisoner every debilitating and condemning thought.  It is only then that we are able to replace the lie with the truth of God’s Word.  When you think right (like Christ) you will act right (like Christ).

Proverbs tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21a). Our tongues can destroy the good plan God has for us because we won’t rise above what we speak, which reveals what we believe.  Win the battle of the mind and choose to believe God!   Prove it by your words!

(Excerpts from “There’s Gotta Be More”)