Doors and Windows

I embarked on a journey this month; a journey to sweet lips. Now, unless you have done a word study in your Bible on the word “lips” you may not get where I’m going with this. God’s Book has much to say about the use of our lips, tongue and mouth. One overall statement it makes is “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

Not one of us can say we don’t understand that verse in some measure. Who hasn’t been on the receiving end of a sharp, sarcastic comment? Which of us has not shed a tear or two over something someone said to us or about us? In fact, if it could be measured, I’m sure that the source of over 90% of all pain suffered in this world can be traced back to a tongue. World wars, regime changes, holocausts, factions, religions—the tongue has set them all aflame.

It was through the lying tongue of a serpent that Eve was deceived; it was through the tongue that Adam blamed Eve when God confronted him, and so here we are, killing each other with angry, bitter, resentful and caustic words. Here we are judging and accusing one another.

It was through tongues of fear that Jesus was accused of heresy and tongues of hate that nailed him to a cruel cross.

But on his tongue was love. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. This from a man dangling from a tree by nails, his perfect blood dropping silently to the ground. That blood, shed for you and me, was so powerful the earth shook in fear. We crucified the Living Word—the One who spoke all we see and know into existence.

This is not an easy topic to examine. It’s easier to discuss when we only point out the pain that other tongues have caused, the problem is, we each have a tongue.

Sweet, sincere and soft words heal; they give life and build trust. Sour, sharp and self-centered words kill and tear down trust.

The tongue has power, the Bible says. Can you imagine what this world would be like if each tongue-owner exercised self-control? That’s why I created the 28-Day Sweet Lips Challenge. It’s simple, really, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it, right?

Okay, it’s not that simple. But it can be done by the act of our will and God’s help. And so here I am on this journey. Starting February 1st, I’m choosing to only allow sweet, soothing, sensible and soft words past my lips. That means that when any sour, sharp, sarcastic or self-centered word forms in my head I will consciously stop it before it slips past my lips—be it blurt or whisper.

There’s much more I have to say on this but there’s not enough room in this column. So if you want to join me, you can see the details on my Facebook profile, or e-mail me and I’ll send you the cards I created with the rules and the Scriptures that will help you get sweet lips that please God and give life to others.

It’s time to love one another.