The Proper Use Of The Tongue

For he who would love life and see many good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Peter 3:10, NKJV).

The tongue is a very unique and peculiar organ of the human body. It is an organ that is both internal and external. The dictionary defines it as the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a mammal used for tasting, swallowing and (in humans) articulating speech. The Bible has so much to say about the tongue. There is a proper and improper way of using the tongue. As Christians, God expects us to use our tongue well. Below are some proper ways to use the tongue:

GUARD: The Bible says he who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13:3). The wise man further says that whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble (Proverbs 21:23). Using the tongue wisely will protect our integrity, reputation, relationships, dreams and aspirations, resources, health, life, etc. On the contrary, a misuse of the tongue will expose us to several attacks and much havoc. The Bible says the wise man (even in the face of provocation) guards his tongue and doesn’t spill it all out (Proverbs 29:11). Many have lost opportunities because they don’t guard their tongue.

GUIDE: The tongue is likened to the rudder in a ship. The rudder is a critical part of the steering system of a ship (James 4:3). It’s a very small part of a monstrous ship, and yet it directs, guides and navigates the big ship according to the will and wishes of the captain of the ship. Our tongue is the steering wheel of our lives. It determines the direction our life goes. The Amplified version of the Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words” (Proverbs 18:21). The gospel truth is that our words have consequences and shape the direction of our lives. We can steer and navigate our lives in the direction we want it to go by purposefully and deliberately utilizing our tongue. Being made in the image of God and having His Spirit in us make our words very powerful.

GIRD: The word gird is associated with the word girdle.  A girdle is an article of dressing that women wear in order to look smart, trendy, fit and prepared. To gird means to prepare oneself for battle or for what is ahead. Our tongues must always be poised and prepared for action in the face of great opportunities and challenges. Blind Bartimaeus’ tongue was ready and prepared when Jesus was passing by. He used his tongue to stop Jesus in His tracks and to secure the healing of his eyes (Mark 10:46-52). The young David’s tongue was poised and ready for battle when he stood before Goliath at the valley of Elah. As Goliath cursed him (i.e. David) with his gods, David retorted and began to address Goliath in warfare rhetoric and in the name of the Lord. Our tongue is a weapon of warfare; we are to use it to neutralize every negative tongue rising against us (Isaiah 54:17).

GAUGE: A gauge is a measuring device or instrument. Our tongues also serve as the gauge of our lives. We are evaluated by the words we speak and we also evaluate people by the words they speak. We don’t know the intents and thoughts of people but we largely know people by what is coming out of their mouths. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Wise people set a guard upon their tongues, knowing they are judged by their words. Wise people also weigh people largely by the words they speak. Our words are to be seasoned with salt, ministering grace to our hearers.

CONCLUSION: The next member of the body God intends to capture after the heart is the tongue. No wonder the manifestation and expression of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was in the symbol of tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as tongues of fire. A yielded and sanctified tongue is a great asset to God Almighty. To live long and to see many good days, we are advised to refrain our tongues from evil and deceitful speaking.

Ade(Gboyega) ESAN

www.rccgpittsburgh.net

http://gboyegae.blogspot.com

Praying Intelligently

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Apostle Paul, in the above scripture, made mention of all prayer and supplication. This presupposes that there are different kinds of prayers with different rules. Different games have their rules. For example, the rule applying in American football game is different from the rules guiding FIFA soccer game. If a striker in a soccer game suddenly picks the ball with his hands and shoots it in the goalpost, this act will be ruled as foul and he will be penalized for it. Whereas in American football game both the use of the legs and the hands are allowed. The same is true for prayers. Praying intelligently is knowing what manner of prayer one should be praying per time, and also applying the appropriate rule of engagement. Below are further truths to consider:

Praying after the order of the new covenant: The rules of prayer changed after Jesus went to the cross, died and resurrected. Jesus purchased everything needed for the born-again child of God. The Bible says, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding Yes…” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT).  We approach prayer under the new covenant with a guarantee of answered prayers because Jesus purchased the blessings for us. Revelation knowledge is basic requirement in the new covenant to access and receive what Jesus has purchased for us (Ephesians 1:18-20). We pray from a vantage position of victory and dominion because we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places far above principalities and powers. Praying with the understanding of our redemptive rights in Christ is praying intelligently.

Praying according to the will of God: “And we are confident that He hears us whenever WE ASK FOR ANYTHING THAT PLEASES HIM. And since we know that He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14, NLT). King Solomon prayed intelligently when, rather than asking for long life, riches or the death of his enemies, he asked for a discerning and understanding heart to govern the Israelites. The Bible says his prayer pleased the Lord, and God gave him what he asked for and in addition He also gave Solomon what he didn’t ask for (1 Kings 3: 7-13). Whenever we pray according to His will, we are praying intelligently and our prayer becomes effective.

Praying with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: The Bible clearly says we don’t know how and what to pray for as we ought to (Romans 8:26). The Spirit of God in us channels our prayers accordingly. The Spirit (if allowed) will also help us to engage the proper rule for each prayer. For example, the tone in praying a prayer of faith is that of command vis a vis the prayer of supplication which is humility. Praying under the inspiration of the Spirit helps us to make the appropriate switches in the place of prayer. Praying in other tongues or praying articulately by the inspiration of the Spirit are also examples of praying intelligently.

CONCLUSION: Prayer is essential for the believer. Prayer is an intercourse of the soul. Prayer is spiritual respiratory. In prayer, we breathe out the flesh and inhale more of the Spirit. Prayer is earthly license for divine interference. Prayer is the believer’s umbilical cord; it is a channel of blessings. Prayer engenders divine activity. Prayer is a dialogue and not a monologue. Prayer is necessary. Prayer must be done right and appropriately. Receive grace to pray intelligently in Jesus’ name.

 

Ade(Gboyega) ESAN

www.rccgpittsburgh.net

http://gboyegae.blogspot.com

The Wise Master Builder

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it ……. But if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss……” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15, NKJV).

Every born-again believer is a co-builder of the kingdom of God. God needs us to build His kingdom. Apostle Paul reiterated this point in this passage, and also admonished us to build carefully, cautiously, meticulously, diligently and purposefully. According to him, every man’s work will be tested and evaluated. Some people’s work will endure and they will receive rewards, while some others will suffer loss because their work will fail at evaluation. In order to be a wise master whose work will endure, the following are necessary:

Build with intention: Apostle Paul said he doesn’t do shadow boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26, NLT). In other words, he just doesn’t throw punches in the air, every punch he throws is against a target. He doesn’t scatter nor waste efforts anyhow, he is deliberate and purposeful. Phillip, by the leading of the Holy Spirit joined the carriage of the Ethiopian eunuch who was ready to be saved (Acts 8: 26-39). This eunuch who was a top ranking official in his country went on to spread the gospel in his country. The

Holy Spirit will always lead us to ventures that will have divine impact. I know a Christian brother who keeps a log of unsaved friends and families and regularly intercedes for them. Efforts orchestrated by the Holy Spirit and by divine sense will endure till eternity.

Build with personal character: God is big on character. He is mindful of the vessel carrying His power. Strong character is built over time and also by regularly making right decisions. Character is tested in times of temptations and trials. In construction, they talk of structural integrity. A building with structural integrity is one that is formidable and withstand rigors, climate changes, weight, etc and stands over a long haul. Buildings that develop cracks over time are those with foundational problems. Jesus is the foundation we should build on at all times. For our work to endure, we have to be people of integrity. Apostle Paul said there’s a possibility of being disqualified after preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Build with the right doctrine: We are admonished to rightly divide the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). This presupposes there’s a wrong dividing or interpretation of the Word. To build with right doctrine we must continue being a student of the Word who never graduates from the school of biblical studies. Some build ministries on spiritual gifts, personal charisma, etc. leaving out the word of God. It is only the word of God that is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). Everything else will fade with time, only the word is enduring. Jesus is the living word of God. The only true foundation to build on is the unadulterated word of God.

Build with eternity in view: Our passage and many other scriptures affirm that rewards will differ in heaven. Many myopic Christians are just okay with making heaven and are not particularly interested in sending worthy investments there that will herald their coming. We are going to have different influences in God’s Kingdom based on the work we do here. Having a heavenly perspective will make us behave like Apostle Paul. He said, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, ….”. Jesus said we are to be mindful of making worthy investments in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). We make this investment with our time, talents and treasures. May we all develop a stronger sense of eternity in Jesus name.

CONCLUSION: Apostle Paul tells us that the right materials to build with are gold, silver and precious stones. These materials when passed through the heavenly crucible will endure and not be consumed. The wrong materials to build with are wood, hay and straw which are consumed in the heavenly crucible (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The right materials are all God made, while the wrong materials are man-made. Receive grace to work with the Holy Spirit today and always in order to be a wise master builder.

Have a blessed month.

 

Ade(Gboyega) ESAN

www.rccgpittsburgh.net

http://gboyegae.blogspot.com

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