I read a story about a man that had some sons, I don’t remember how many. Two of the sons were mad at each other and one of the sons blurted out this statement, “I hate you!” The Dad over heard what was said and took matters into his hands right away. Taking the young boy into the bathroom he commenced to wash the young boy’s mouth out with soap. As this scene was unfolding the older boy was watching trying not to be seen. The young boy said, “Dad this soap tastes terrible,” to which the Dad replied, “what you said was also terrible.” I guess after that the Dad never heard those words repeated again towards each other. This is my version of the story because I can’t remember exactly everything about it.
The reason I told you this story was to remind you that our mouths can be used for blessings or curses so we need to be careful what we say. The mouth can utter great and positive things or very negative things. When I was a kid I heard mostly negative things about myself. To be honest I can’t remember many positive things said about me at all. Because I wasn’t very good at sports, or many other things, it was said that I was dumb or stupid and wouldn’t make anything of myself. And that is what happened I never did amount to nothing until I was committed to Jesus many years ago.
Jesus made the difference in my life and I am something special in Him and so is everyone else who has been born-again. You have heard the saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, which means like father like son. Another statement is that a leopard can’t change its spots. Both of these statements are true, most sons or daughters turn out to be somewhat like their parents and there are many things you can’t change in your life by yourselves.
After all, the parents have the responsibility to train up their children to be a blessing to those around them and to honor and fear the Lord. The problem with this is, the ideal doesn’t always happen, many parents hand down a curse instead of a blessing whether meaning to or not. When I heard that we as parents could hand down a curse or a blessing to our kids, I wanted to hand down a blessing. I certainly wasn’t perfect at this, but I tried and I am still trying.
In Ephesians 4:29 it says this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” I wish I could say I have always done what this says but I haven’t, to my shame. It is lessons like this that I feel I am being slapped in the face and being told to listen, and to put these things into practice.
Our mouths need to be sanctified and used for edifying and building up one another in the faith. Then we won’t grieve the Holy Spirit with whom we are sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 5:4 says, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” When you think about these things they make a lot of sense. When we were non-believers or babes in Christ we did these things. But we need to rid ourselves of these things and put on the new man and be renewed daily by the renewing of our minds. We need to stop being conformed to this world.
So let’s make a choice today to leave a blessing, and not a curse, so our family will be encouraged, not discouraged, praise the Lord. Maybe you would like to repeat this prayer if you find yourself in this situation.
(Heavenly Father I am sorry for using my mouth for tearing down and discouraging __(fill in a name)__, please forgive me. Help me to use my mouth to build up and encourage others and if I don’t have anything good to say about anyone to keep my mouth shut. Keep me from talking negatively about anyone even if it is true so that I may honor you and bring you praise. Thank you so much for your forgiveness and I give you all the praise, and I pray these things in Jesus precious name amen.)
God bless you! Go with the Lord and be faithful and have a great day.
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