Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Muzzling My Mouth” for Monday, 17 November 2014 - Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Muzzling My Mouth” for Monday, 17 November 2014 - Scripture: Ephesians 4:25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
28 Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
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.(Ephesians 4:29 (NIV))
Years ago, I adopted a dog that had a fear of strangers. Whenever the veterinarian examined her, he muzzled her so she couldn’t bite him. At times, I wish someone would put a muzzle on my mouth — such as the time I berated a woman who was talking loudly on her cell phone. Immediately Psalm 39:1 came to mind: “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin: I will put a muzzle on my mouth.” If the psalmist had the self-control to keep his mouth shut, why don’t I?
Even when I do manage to keep my mouth shut, I seethe in silence. But that is sin waiting to happen. I’ve learned that living righteously and keeping my mouth from sin requires a lot of close communication with God. “Lord, put a muzzle over my mouth,” has become a frequent prayer of mine. Whenever I’m feeling irritated, I ask God to calm me. I ask God to give me the strength to conduct myself with gentleness. I still make mistakes and allow angry words to roll off my lips. I sometimes speak in a tone that is offensive. But my convicted spirit prompts me to confess my sin to God and ask forgiveness. Then I ask God to strengthen my commitment to speak with kindness and self-control the next time anger or frustration tries to get the better of me.
The Author: Debra Pierce (Massachusetts, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s love can transform our words of anger into words for good.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, may our words be used for goodness, grace and godliness. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those who are easily angered
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