Harnessed

The enticing words and tone were familiar, yet you blindly walked into the snare, unprepared for what followed. You opened your mouth and blurted out a response, a conversation that ended with words you wished you had kept to yourself. And the enemy in your midst felt quite smug with your cooperation—again.

The New Testament describes the tongue as a small part of the body, a fire, a world of wickedness that corrupts the whole body. Uncontrolled speech can set life on fire, flames from hell (James 3:6). Words and the tone in our voice can entice, agitate, inflame another person to act wrongly; one spark can start a blazing inferno. Proverbs 15:1 says a gentle response can disarm grievous words that stir anger.  

How can we avoid entrapping words? Recognize familiar signs, be on guard around certain people, and like David in this Psalm, put your mouth under lock and key: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). He knew the enemy had snares laid in wait for him (v. 9). He told himself that he would be mindful of his actions and not sin in his speech. David said he would bridle his tongue when tempted to say something wrong lest He offends God (39:1). Better for us to bridle ours, pinch it with a bit of discomfort rather than say regretful words and set a conversation on fire. Like David, ask the Lord to stand guard over your mouth and keep the door to your lips. He will.