KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15:11 (KJV). “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

We continue with what DEFILES a man. In our previous study we considered what defiles a man. We saw that, the wrong unscriptural thoughts that proceed from within a man defiles him. Now, what does it mean to be defiled. To be defiled means to be made unholy. To be made common. It also means to be easily accessed by demons. The serious part of being defiled is that God separates Himself from that person. (Isaiah 59:2)

The words that proceed out of the mouth of men can seriously defile and harm them. Wrong words make men imperfect and therefore are subject to failure. “For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”— James 3:2 (KJV). This verse means if one would always speak rightly, (in line with God’s word) he would not be making the common mistakes people commit. Apostle James writes in James 3:6, that the tongue is

1. A fire

2. A world of iniquity

3 It defiles the whole body

4. Sets on fire the course of nature

5.It Sets itself on the fires of hell. Many people would be placed in hell because of the wrong words they spoke.

Another moment when men seriously destroy themselves is when they are angry. Deep uncontrolled anger is an out shoot of pride. Pride always comes before a fall. Foolish, self-destructive words pour forth when one is speaking out of pride. The mistake people make is, when they speak dirty and fowl words against others, they do not know that they are rather defiling themselves. A decision to let God’s word determine your actions would save you from destroying yourself.

Any time you curse a brother out of anger and pride you have only given the evil one a form of expression through you. You would certainly pay dearly for it. Matt 5:22. Some very wonderful homes or marriages have been destroyed because the spouses allowed pride with its puppet anger to ruin it. Many of such people cannot forgive themselves after so many years of divorce. They realize their irreparable damage

You can tame the tongue by:

1 A decision to say and do, only that which pleases the Lord.

2. Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19

3 Always say to yourself, I do not speak out of pride, anger, and foolishness.

4. Say to yourself: I say only what God’s word says, and not what I see or feel.

If you would do these things, you would keep your tongue from defiling you and subsequently save yourself from destruction.

CONFESSION

My tongue is an instrument of praise and power, and not for cursing and insults. I speak the truth in love, and give no place to pride and anger to control me.

FURTHER STUDIES

 James 1:19 (KJV). “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Matthew 5:22 (KJV). “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”