Be Careful, for

Out of Your Mouth are the Issues of Life

Genesis 1-3  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. ³ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

 

God made us. He made our mouths to speak and our eyes to see. He made our hearts. And God gave us His Word, which contains all that we will ever need to know about living a good life, a God-filled life. Our Creator’s words teach us what to say; what words we should – and should not – let issue forth from our mouths.

First, He teaches us to put no other gods before Him. In fact, we shouldn’t even mention the names of those false gods. Even by mentioning those false names we lend them an existence that they don’t deserve. So, let us let them die the death of silence they so richly deserve.

Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Why not even speak those falsities? Because we are what we speak!

Remember Peter leaving the boat to walk on water, in Matt 14:22-31? He was doing fine until he began to think; when he did -- doubts arose. Could he really walk on water?  See, when we think -- we sink! When we simply believe, then we can walk on water, or cast mountains into the sea! Why? Because things are what we speak them into being when we operate with believing action. Remember Matt 17:20?

Matt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

I Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Deu 8:1-3 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

We don’t have to stumble around in the wilderness for 40 waiting to get our faith lined up with God’s Word. God has already told us what words -- what thoughts – are good within us, are fruitful inside our mouths, are prosperous within our hearts. He did that in the Bible – His Holy Word. We gain the faith like a flaming spirit from hearing and speaking His commandments, just as we gain life for our soul by eating food. Whether those thoughts and words be for our good, for life -- or for evil and death.

Deut 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

We are to be strong in His Word. We are not always smart enough by our five senses to discern truth from falsehood, to avoid the way of death and find the way of life, to choose evil from good. Therefore we are not to trust in our own words, our own thoughts. Instead, we are to follow closely His words, His path for us. We are to turn not from His path, neither to our left or our right.

Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Even when – especially when – it appears difficult to us to do so, we are to think about, meditate on, speak forth His Words. Day and night. Then, do what He willeth. This is God’s path towards our good success and prosperity. And He will be by your side where ever you go. After all, He sent us there! Our path is His plan! Why would He abandon us when we get there, He who abandoned not His own Son but sent him there to save the world, that whosoever should believe in him should not die, but have everlasting life!

I Sam 2:1-4 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

Remember these thoughts. God is our rock. There is none other than our One True God. Therefore speak praises of Him, and let not ill things come out of your mouth. He weighs our actions against His Word, so be not arrogant. Speak not arrogant thoughts. Instead, enlarge your mouth over your enemies. Speak His Word! They that do this find out where true strength is found.

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

II Tim 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Our words show to God and everyone else the real thoughts of our hearts. Speak no deception. Speak no unkind thought. Counsel with the Word in private, praise in public. Don’t criticize, exhort to a more worthy endeavor! Don’t nag, nag, nag! God forbids. Instead, speak the Word! Instead, "exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

Psalms 37:30-31 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  31  The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

Let our words speak of righteousness, wisdom, and discerning judgment. Let our words tell of God. Let God’s words – and only His Words – be in our hearts and in our mouths.

Psalms 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

I Tim 4:11-12 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Let our words be words only of wisdom, showing understanding from a thoughtful heart.

Psalms 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

Let not our words be of curses or lies or show a prideful heart, as others do. This is sin.

Psalms 78:1 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

Let His light shine on through us, forever and ever. How? Hide them not from your children. Teach your children God’s words. Show them His Word, speak His Words. Show them by word and by example, by deed, that our hearts and words and thoughts are right with God. For just as our God is our true strength, our ever present hope, our refuge, our ever present Provider, so too will our God be their God. God will always be there for our children, and our children’s children, for generations without number and for people as numerous as the sands of the seashore.

Proverbs 4:1-2, 5, 18, 20-24 1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Out of our hearts come forth the issues of life. Our thoughts, our words are to be God’s thoughts and God’s words. That is the path of the just leading unto the perfect day. Let not these good thoughts depart from us, and we shall have health and success and prosperity from God.

Let us not be fooled, for our adversary is still out there – like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour with death and evilness, naughtiness and perversion. So, let no man or evil spirit beguile you out of your rewards! Remember the good doctrine, and forsake it not!

Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

Let not our words be "perverse" (utterly reprehensible in nature or behavior, given to acting in opposition to God, stubbornly defiant); let not our mouth be full of "froward" (reprehensible) words.

Proverbs 8:6-9 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Let our mouths only speak the true issues of life. Let our mouths be opened only to speak good things, things that are right in the sight of God. Let our words be grounded in righteousness, full of understanding, showing knowledge to those who seek it. In other words, as some would say, "if you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all!"

Proverbs 10:11, 14 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

"Wise men lay up knowledge." Wow, what a concept! Wise men, men of discernment, of knowledge, study the Word of God to show themselves to be accurate workmen of God’s words, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. For it is better to lay up knowledge than to speak foolishness. Or, as some say, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubts!"

Proverbs 13:2-3 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Eccl 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

The fruit of a wise mouth, the beginning of true wisdom, begins in the silence of listening. Listen first. Then say what needs to be said, no more. Speak, then be silent. Too many words only garbles the message, reducing the wisdom therein and obscuring the light shining forth.

Proverbs 16:23-24 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Speak pleasant words. They are honeycomb to the soul and health to your marrow. Again, say something nice, or say nothing at all.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Coll 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Keep your ill tempered tongue to yourself, and it will keep you out of troubles. Control your heart! The mouth that blesses should not let forth curses in anger. Blaspheme not! Speak not ill of anyone, especially those who are no longer present to defend themselves. Speak not behind another’s back. Control yourself! As you control your mouth, you will conquer your heart and subdue your "old man" nature.

Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Don’t toot your own horn. Live by these rules, by God’s Words, and there will be plenty who will be glad to speak your praises – you won’t have to.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Remember that none of God’s Words goes forth void. All bear fruit. All accomplish what He means to accomplish, where He means to send it. Just as God’s angels spoke and speak His words, and just His prophets spoke and speak His words, and just as Jesus Christ spoke only God’s Words, not his own, so too should our words prosper and bear fruit – by being based upon God’s Words. Not my own will be done, but His!

Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For it is only by our heartfelt words that the gift of salvation is fully realized. God accomplished this through the accomplished believing of Christ Jesus, not we. It was not given unto us because of our works, lest perverse and prideful man should boast.

Do you recall the immortal words: "Look upon my works, oh ye mighty, and despair!" Where is that prideful Pharaoh now? He was the red-headed Pharaoh of Moses. Ramses II, called the Great, the mightiest of all the mighty rulers of all of Egypt. He is known today by the majestic temples and colossal monuments that still rise above the Nile; proclaiming, as they have for more than 3,000 years, the greatness of Ramses II, "Son of Ra", the sun god and the warrior king of Egypt.

Ramses II was born about 1303 B.C.in the Eastern Nile Delta. Following the death of his grandfather Ramses I and father Seti I, Ramses II assumed the throne at age 24 in 1279 B.C. During his 66-year reign he erected colossal monuments to himself in every major Egyptian city of his time. He built a great city called Pi-Ramses (House of Ramses), built temples in Abydos and Abu Simbel, added to the temples at Karnak and Luxor. He had 52 sons and 50 daughters. He was a mighty warrior, a successful general, ambitious builder, and a popular ruler.

Hardly a site exists that Ramses the Great did not initiate, add to, complete, or build entirely himself. The greatest monuments on any tour of Egypt bear his stamp: Abu Simbel, the Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Ramesseum, and many others. He commissioned the largest monolithic statue ever, a 70 foot tall seated statue of himself at the Ramesseum. Lying for century after century in pieces, the giant red-granite statue inspired the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley to craft the poem "Ozymandias" (the Greek form of User-maat-Re, one of Ramses II's many names):

I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert ... Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read.

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

So, use your mouth wisely! Know your mighty God’s plan. Ring out God’s truth by your words and your songs! Your mouths are powerful, for out of them issue the words of life. Go, and minister grace unto all hearers. Go forth, sin not, and speak God’s Words!