Lessons From the Secret Place – Miniseries- Preparation for the Second Coming: Lesson 1- Guard Your Tongue

Last week I had a dream and when I woke up, I wrote it down and then I asked the Lord what he wanted to say to me through it. He identified for me that the dream was about the rapture to church. And that many people in the church are not prepared to meet him at his second coming. He told me that his bride must stay alert, steadfast, and not be prone to distractions. She must be ready at a moment’s notice to do the assignments he has for her.

Then he gave me a list of things that we need to guard ourselves from so we stay untainted by the world. He reminded me that he is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle. In this miniseries, I want to take each of the things we need to guard ourselves from and talk about what that looks like in practical application. I also want to dive into what it looks like if we allow ourselves to be tainted by the world in the way we act, think, speak, and live and how that impacts our relationship with Christ.

To begin this miniseries, we will be looking at guarding our tongue.

First, each person has the power to speak life or death over themselves, their situations, and others.  

Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 

Merriam Webster’s 1828 Dictionary gives the following definition for life: Condition; course of living, in regard to happiness and misery. We say, a man's life has been a series of prosperity, or misfortune.

Death Words: Speaking anything over ourselves, our satiation, or others that is contrary to the Truth in the Word.  When we speak these types of words, we are agreeing with the enemy.

Have you ever said or heard someone say something like, “Why am I so dumb?”  or “He will never amount to anything.”

These are the enemy’s words. He says, dumb and failure.  

Life Word: Speaking over ourselves, our situations, and others according to the Truth of the Word. When we speak these types of words we are agreeing with Jesus. 

The Word says, “I have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16), and “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

These are the words of Life (Jesus)!!!!

Second, our words are our choice.

No one makes us say the things we say.  The devil cannot make us speak, neither will God. 

Proverbs. 12:18, There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Merriam Webster 1828 dictionary defines rash as: Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little reflection; as rash words; rash measures.

An example of rash words could be those spoken (yelled) in the heat of anger.  

Additionally, rash words would also be when we give our own opinion/advice rather than seeking the truth from the Word and speaking it.  

There are times when the opinions of others are fine. For example, if I am trying to figure out how to lay out the pattern for my next afghan, I might ask someone for their opinion/advice.  However, when we are dealing with mattes of life, the heart, or the spirit our opinion/advice must always be left out and the Truth of the Word sought.  God is the authority on all of life’s issues and he is the only one whose opinion matters.  When our opinions are contrary to his opinion (WORD), our opinions are wrong!!!

Proverbs 10:19, When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent [wise]. [Added for meaning.]

By nature, I am a talker, this trait God gave me to use for His glory, has often been used by the enemy for evil.  My natural propensity is to gab. I enjoy talking with others, however, when I just shoot from the hip (rash words) I find that far too often my words are just that “my words” and not the Father’s heart (Word) for that moment.  It is necessary for me to restrain my lips and speak slowly so I can be sure to hear what the Father is saying to me in every moment. 

I’ve heard it said that God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason.  We should listen twice as much as we speak.  If we did, we would be less likely to offend or hurt with our words.  

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.

According to Webster, to corrupt is to taint or pollute.  Thus, corrupting talk would be anything spoken that negatively impacts the thoughts, attitudes, or opinions of those who heat it. 

To illustrate, have you ever been in a group of girlfriends when someone mentions how “good looking” another person’s husband is? Or how attractive the waiter is? Giggles begin as someone jokes about wishing they knew him better or how they wish their husband looked that good….   This sadly is sin.  Ephesians 5:4 says, Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

What has this conversation done? First, it has drawn the focus from wholesome conversation to ungodly lusts and thoughts.  Second, it has exposed the group to the devil’s evil agenda; stealing, killing, and destroying.  Thirdly, it has opened the door for defilement of the Temples of the Holy Spirit (each woman present). 

We will discuss this further in another lesson, however, just a note here; what often happens in situations like the one described above, one member of the group, feeling convicted about the direction of the conversation, speaks up and is instantly labeled “super spiritual” as if that is a negative thing to be.  As followers of Christ, that is what we all should desire to become.  Jesus was himself, super spiritual!!!!!

Thirdly, our words reveal our heart. 

Luke 6:45, The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

When Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” He meant that consistently sinful words and deeds are indicative of a sinful heart. Rather than always giving people “the benefit of the doubt,” we would do well to recognize the “fruit” we observe and respond accordingly. Being a “fruit inspector” does not mean we consider ourselves to be without sin; it does mean that we are realistic about whom to trust and whom we allow to exert influence over us and the people for whom we are responsible. (from: https://www.gotquestions.org/out-abundance-heart-mouth-speaks.html)

In conclusion, Matthew 12:36-37, tells us, I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

When we truly understand that everything we say, is either going to bless or curse, build up or tear down, we will be much more careful about our word choices. We will be slower to speak.  

God will not be mocked; whatever a man sows he will reap (Galatians 6:7).  May our words sow life!!!!