The Seal On Your Lips

God's word is powerful and so convicting. When you desire to set your mind on what the Spirit desires instead of what the sinful nature ( a.k.a. your flesh!) desires, then a work of God is at hand.

Today I want to talk about our mouths. They often get us into a lot of trouble. We sometimes say words that we hope we could just reverse time and take back. When they come out, we know that they have wounded others, have spoken curses, or have even reflected ungodly character to someone we have been trying to witness to. When we were children, name calling or a bad word were often met with correction from a parent. As adults we still say words that can hurt us as well as others through being angry, critical or by even by using complaining speech. Thankfully, we have a loving Father to bring us the correction needed!

We need to discipline our minds to desire what the Spirit desires. The Holy Spirit desires us to be pure in heart, for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. God also knows that we are rather imperfect and bestows much grace upon us as we walk out this discipline.

David had a cry out to God that I think I would offer up with great fear and trembling! Psalm 17:3 says, "Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin." There is a word David uses that reveals his determination not to sin. It is the word "resolved". Webster's states that to be resolved is to be decided, determined, or purposed in mind.

It takes the conviction of God to be aware of tainted speech. It takes a humble heart to confess the uncleanness of lips. It takes a mind that is set on what the Spirit desires and a mind that is resolved not to allow the mouth to sin to walk in true repentance.

David knew that he was not able to walk out this discipline on his own. He needed help and knew where his help came from. Psalm 141:3 says, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed."