Orbitz Gum, Anyone? A Juicy Morsel.

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Today is all about cleaning up dirty mouths.

Recently, I have allowed my mouth to move way too much. I'll be in mid sentence and realize that what I am saying is neither edifying nor for building up. It is idle conversation or just plain unnecessary. The Bible calls this gossip and is pretty clear how destructive this sin is.

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

This puts a whole new standard on what I say. There have been many instances in the past few days/weeks where my mouth moved only for greed and pride. What came out of my mouth was not to build up or give grace. Quite the opposite, actually. My words have too many times been used to puff myself up or make my flesh feel satisfied (even if only for a moment). Its almost like a small high to have diarrhea of the mouth. Many times the damage done by spreading rumors (even information we know to be true or more often, just think to be true) isn't ever fully realized by the person spreading it. My intentions may be 'good' but as some may say, "wars are started with good intentions.

Proverbs has this to say of gossip:

"They words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." (Prov 26:22, ESV)

 When our ears itch and want to greedily swallow up a 'juicy story' or our tongue can't help but 'share' the latest news, the words become a part of us. The greed and pride get deep down into our core and begin we begin to rot from the inside out. The pain we are causing is selfish and unnecessary. Unfortunately, it is all to common, even among friends. Whether thought to be in confidence as an 'important' prayer request or out of concern for a friend or just plain 'ole run of the mill idle talk, the sin is the same and the results can be deadly. 

All too often gossip becomes an issue because of an idle mind. Its kind of like eating junk when we are bored. When our mind is set to idle, we begin to feed it junk and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The less time I have spent looking to Jesus and meditating on His words, the easier it has been to fall into the trap of gossip and idle talk.

No

                 longer

                                 will

                                              I

                                                  stand for it.

Where is our hope? What is the answer to this on-going, death-filled problem???

LOVE. 

LOVE from our gracious savior is the answer.

Praise Jesus that His mercies are new every morning! Praise Him, that his grace is sufficient. Thank you Jesus, your love and grace covers a multitude of sins! Thank you that I am forgiven and you have brought restoration for my soul! Thank you that through the loving grace of your Holy Spirit, I can choose to build up and edify my brothers and sisters. I no longer am a slave to sin. I am a new creation and by your grace, use my mouth to bring glory and honor to your name. 

Let me leave you with this last morsel of encouragement,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Dirty Mouth? Clean it up! 

Not with gum but with love and grace by setting our sights on Jesus.