RR Psalm 39:1-3 Part 1
Shalom,
Psalm 39:1 For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David. 2 I said: “I will guard my ways, so I will not sin with my tongue. I will muzzle my mouth while the wicked are before me.” 3 So I became utterly speechless, kept silent even from good, but my anguish was stirred up.
King David has written this psalm as a warning to us all, so that we will be careful about what comes out of our mouths. Since this “warning” comes to us from David in the Hebrew Scriptures, we may be tempted to believe things change with the advent of Yeshua. Yeshua’s own words speak to this quite directly…. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment, men will give account for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Oops, I just came under conviction. How about you?
Before you glibly offer, “But, there’s grace for that,” we are reminded of Paul’s word on this to the Ephesians…. Ephesians 4:29 Let no harmful word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for building others up according to the need, so that it gives grace to those who hear it. We are commanded to edify others through our speech. Think of “grace” in the same way you think of “love.”
The tongue is a creative force. (I draw your attention to the book - which is more like a pamphlet - by that title written by Charles Capps, Published by Harrison House, 1976.) Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit. When we speak lovingly about one another, we are properly aligned with God’s purposes. However; nothing about this is a command to lie. But simply speaking truth is not enough… Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head. “Speaking the truth in love” is actually a sign of maturity.
Self control over speech is like the brake on a car. Or, maybe a better analogy is a clutch on a standard transmission. In any event, self-control, like a brake or a clutch, is only effective if we use it. Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. ESV And finally, notice what is in the middle of this hierarchy of maturity.
2Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason, making every effort, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, love.
Let’s do that! Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu13-Nov-202522nd of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 24:53-67Jdg 8Ps 34Mt 24:29-51(Ro 5)
Psalm 39:1 For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David. 2 I said: “I will guard my ways, so I will not sin with my tongue. I will muzzle my mouth while the wicked are before me.” 3 So I became utterly speechless, kept silent even from good, but my anguish was stirred up.
King David has written this psalm as a warning to us all, so that we will be careful about what comes out of our mouths. Since this “warning” comes to us from David in the Hebrew Scriptures, we may be tempted to believe things change with the advent of Yeshua. Yeshua’s own words speak to this quite directly…. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment, men will give account for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Oops, I just came under conviction. How about you?
Before you glibly offer, “But, there’s grace for that,” we are reminded of Paul’s word on this to the Ephesians…. Ephesians 4:29 Let no harmful word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for building others up according to the need, so that it gives grace to those who hear it. We are commanded to edify others through our speech. Think of “grace” in the same way you think of “love.”
The tongue is a creative force. (I draw your attention to the book - which is more like a pamphlet - by that title written by Charles Capps, Published by Harrison House, 1976.) Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit. When we speak lovingly about one another, we are properly aligned with God’s purposes. However; nothing about this is a command to lie. But simply speaking truth is not enough… Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head. “Speaking the truth in love” is actually a sign of maturity.
Self control over speech is like the brake on a car. Or, maybe a better analogy is a clutch on a standard transmission. In any event, self-control, like a brake or a clutch, is only effective if we use it. Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. ESV And finally, notice what is in the middle of this hierarchy of maturity.
2Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason, making every effort, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, love.
Let’s do that! Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu13-Nov-202522nd of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 24:53-67Jdg 8Ps 34Mt 24:29-51(Ro 5)
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