The most dangerous beast in the world is the one that lives in that den behind your teeth…your tongue!

James compares the tongue to a flame of fire. He warns that it is full of wickedness and can poison every part of the body.

David prayed that the Lord would set a guard at his mouth: “Set a watch, 0 LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

The tongue at its greatest potential is used to bring praise to God. The dedicated Christian sings:

“Take my lips and let them move,
At the impulse of Thy love.”

The Bible teaches that one of life’s greatest contradictions is to both praise God and curse men. In other words, it is the height of hypocrisy to be given to both godliness and gossip. Like oil and water, the two just do not mix.

Peter instructs us to lay aside all slanderings if we want to mature in the Christian life (see 1 Peter 2:1,2).

If the use of your tongue is really that important to the Lord, what guideline can you follow to be sure your words are pleasing to Him?

A number of proverbs and sayings have been put together to help us. One is:

“If your lips would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how and when and where.”

But the best is given in the psalmist’s perfect prayer contained in our memory verse. Let this be your prayer — today and every day!