October 28 – LD 43, Day 7: The Wonderful Restoration of the Tongue’s Good Use

Proverbs 16:23 - “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”

The heavy wrath of God, which must rest upon the abusive and lying tongue, was taken up by Jesus and carried to the cross for all who believe. Having spoken His precious Word of truth to us as His almighty power unto salvation, our Lord now fills us with a love for Him and for one another. To us who had the name of our father the devil, and who did not hesitate to give others bad names by our gossip and evil speaking, the Lord has given the name of children of God — the very opposite of who we are by nature!

This renewal of life is just as much a part of belonging to Christ as is the forgiveness of sins and justification. It is not possible to claim the work of Christ if our tongues keep on lying, gossiping, slandering and rashly condemning. It is true — and, oh, the sorrow it causes us — that we do not have perfection here, for we have a continual struggle with the old man of sin in us. We do stumble. But if our tongue is untamed and unbridled, quick to speak evil, how shall we sing with sincerity of heart the words of Psa 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer”?

Jesus Christ speaks and works in us to tame the untamable and to break down the works of the devil. What we are unable to do in our own strength is given to us by the power of Christ, when we continually seek His grace and Holy Spirit. In Him is mercy and truth. And as we read in Prov 16:6: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” So we shall love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it. Seeking to glorify God in all things, we shall defend and promote, as much as possible, the honour and good character of our neighbour. This is the way of promoting the well-being of the Church of Christ as well. This is the way of God’s blessing. May we repent of our evil-speaking, and seek earnestly to live in thankfulness to our Redeemer.