READ: MATTHEW18:15-20
The tongue
is the most endangered part of the human body. If you open your mouth every
time you have an opportunity you stand the risk of making statements capable of
putting you in trouble. A seemingly harmless statement is capable of putting
you into trouble. How do you know when you make a statement that will shut
heaven’s doors against you? I counsel you to weigh you words before you utter
them. For example, it is very risky to speak against a man of God. When David
had the opportunity of killing King Saul who was after him, he dared not do it
because he recognized that King Saul was an anointed of God. Anyone that speaks
against the anointed of God speaks blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Satan
uses this weapon when there is no other way to get at his intended victim. How
do we deal with the tongue? If your friend offends you, instead of backbiting,
go to him and discuss the issue with him. Do not speak any negative word about
anyone. Go to the person involved before you tell any other person. This is
what Jesus taught us in our text: “Moreover if your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault.” Satan knows how to play on disagreements.
If anyone comes to you to backbite against another person, ask him whether he
ha gone to meet the person involved. If he says he has not, do not listen to
him. Proverbs 25:23 says: “The north wind brings forth rain, and a
backbiting tongue an angry countenance.” Your angry countenance should
drive away a backbiting tongue. You must not only avoid backbiting, you must
also close your ears to gossips. The human tongue will misbehave unless it is
tamed. Do you exercise control over your tongue or do you allow it to run riot?
If you fail to tame your tongue, it may set you on fire. Beware!
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS25:23 –The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an
angry countenance.
