In our everyday lives, we often speak our minds openly. Yet, certain words can return to trouble us later, stealing away potential blessings. Some individuals are naturally inclined to speak openly, while others are more reserved and say less. However, both extremes have their downsides; what's important is to strike a balance between the two. Bible teaches how we should speak.
1) Beware of the Tongues power to manipulate
Proverbs 15:28 'The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. '
While our hearts might be inclined to speak what is righteous and virtuous, the issue lies in the swift and often malevolent nature of our mouths. Consequently, we frequently utter words that cannot be retracted. These moments of anger give rise to hurtful expressions that inflict deep pain upon others. The aftermath of this anger can lead to resentment, bitterness, and even gossip. This accumulation of sins forms a weighty burden we carry. Sometimes, we're deceived by Satan into thinking that speaking openly or out of anger is justifiable. It's important to be cautious against harboring hidden malicious intentions towards our fellow brethren. Also, be alert to those who seek to manipulate you under the guise of demanding "openness.”
James writes it well, even tough our heart desires to tell good things the “tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body”
James 3:2,6 'We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. '
Psalms 52:2 'You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. '
James give a perfect advice, The fiery tongue can be controlled by seeking to do the following James 1:19-20 NIV - 'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. '
Listen - Don’t talk back before listening “Everyone should be quick to listen”
Slowdown - Once you do the step 1 of listen down the heart weights the answers what we should respond. The next step is to be slow - “slow to speak and slow to become angry”
This produces important thing - It leads to God’s plan and not human desires.
2) Seeking fruit of Self-Control
Matthew 12:36-37 'But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Many who say they are open and the words that came out of openness, as each of these words will be used on us in the day of Judgement
We have to give account to every empty word spoken - “I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken”
By the words we will be acquitted or condemned is in our hands - “by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
So the question arises, how do we know what to speak and when to speak. This comes from the fruit of the spirit of God i.e the spirit of “self-control”
Galatians 5:22-23 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. '
The word says, the fruit of Spirit is “Love… self-control”, Against such things there is no law. When we have the spirit of first fruit we are being protected from speaking the “empty words”
God has demonstrated this in Joseph where he was sold as a salve and when he recognised his brothers he kept quite to give the spirit of Self-control
Genesis 42:7,23-24 'As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognised them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” They did not realise that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. '
He speaks again when we read Genesis 45:1-5 'Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. '
Earnestly ask God in your prayers for the spirit of Self-control. He is waiting to give us, he does not want any of us to be judged by our empty words..
3) Speak unless you are promoted to
Not only “what” we speak but also “to whom” we speak is important — Matthew 7:6 ' “… do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. '
When God reveals something to you by a dream or a vision or a word of prophecy, don’t broadcast it immediately.
The words says here “do not throw your pearls to pigs” - Our pearls of the precious Gospel / revelations of their sins etc.. may only confuse those who do not believe, as they are blinded by Satan.
If we do speak thru these words of revelation before the appointed time, we are a stumbling block of God’s plan in a persons lives - “If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. '”
Between “Revelation” from God and “Proclamation” to others there must be a time for “Meditation” within ourselves —
Take time to “consider” and “discern” — if necessary with “a few” elders/seniors — 1 Corinthians 14:30 'And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ' “Keeping Silent” — the last Gift of the Spirit !!!
Daniel had a dream and vision he did not reveal till a set time, the word He kept the matter to himself, Keeping Silent. He did not reveal to any one as he was meditating this he went about doing the work in King’s palace.
Daniel 7:15,28 '“I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”'
Daniel 8:27 'I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.'
Summary
Beware of anyone trying to “manipulate” you by demanding so called “openness”. Do not allow or give room for anyone to “read” your mind!
Pray to God to allow your tongue to be controlled by him, instead of it controlling you. Pray a prayer like David to get this blessing from God Psalms 141:2(NIV) 'Set a guard over my mouth, Lord ; keep watch over the door of my lips.”