What Gets Us In the Most Trouble

“I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.” Psalm 17:3

In a culture, in an election year, in a day and age where “free speech” is used as an excuse to say ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, this statement by David is like a slap in the face! It’s very easy to read that verse and point the finger at others saying “That’s right!”, but let’s take a moment and point the finger back at ourselves and really look at what David is saying.David wrote Psalm 17 during the time that he was being persecuted by Saul. David was being chased down, hunted, lied about, and slandered against. I am certain that he had PLENTY to say about Saul and his cruel treatment of him! Which in case, makes this verse all the more appropriate and true. David made a decision.

He RESOLVED. He PURPOSED. He DETERMINED that his mouth, through his words, WOULD NOT SIN.

During a time when sinful words were most certainly running rampant through his mind, David made a declaration that he would not sin through the words that he spoke. I think that David’s example is certainly one that would serve us well today.

The Bible is full of verses that speak about our mouths, our tongues, and our words. Just a few examples are:  “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Prov. 10:19) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Prov. 12:18)

There is even an entire chapter in the book of James that is dedicated to the tongue.

Our mouth is what get us in the biggest trouble, especially as women! That’s why the Bible has so much to say about the words that come out of our mouths.What if we made a declaration and a commitment? What if we, like David, resolved, purposed, and determined that we would not allow our mouths to sin? What a difference our lives, families, and nation would be?While we do not have the ability to control anyone else’s mouth, we ABSOLUTELY HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL OUR MOUTH! No one else can resolve, purpose, or determine what words come out of our mouths, except us. While we are certainly not perfect and have far from perfect mouths, we can be quick to repent to God and to the ones we have hurt with our words, while vowing to be very aware of the words we allow ourselves to speak.Will you make the declaration that David made in Psalm 17 with me? Will you determine in your heart that you will not allow your mouth to sin? Will you purpose in your heart to THINK before you SPEAK? Will you weigh your words with this question: “Will the words I’m about to speak bring LIFE or DEATH to the ones hearing them?”Here’s a prayer that I have prayed for YEARS over my mouth:

“Set a guard over my mouth, Oh Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) 

While I have not been perfect with the words I’ve spoken at times, I have tried to be quick to repent when my mouth sins against God and against others.I encourage you to pray that prayer of God’s Word as well. Every single day. Every single day our mouth will try to sin, our words will fly out before we can snatch them back, and great hurt and pain will come to the ones we love the most...simply by the words that we speak.Resolve, purpose, and determine that your words will not cause you to sin. No one else will do it for you. You have control of what comes out of your mouth. Let’s allow our words to bring hope, encouragement, healing, love, and faith to a world that so desperately need them!