Scripture Reading—Psalm 39:1-13

“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace…” (Psalm 39:1, 2)

One of the most important reasons for guarding your speech is because of what the wrong person will do with the words you say.

The Psalmist David says, “I will keep my mouth with a bridle.” A bridle always has a bit. This bit is a piece of iron that is laid across the tongue of the horse It is an uncomfortable and binding piece of harness. Horses hate it. And sometimes if their masters are inconsiderate and cruel, the horse even has to eat with this bit in his mouth. This is painful and uncomfortable. Yet the Psalmist says he is going to wear the bridle so that his tongue is held down and kept from speaking things that will be harmful.

David says first, “I will take heed to my ways.” It is only as you look at yourself honestly with the help of the Holy Spirit that you can see where you need My help to change you and to make your speech holy and wise.

David knew that some of the most terrible sins were the sins of words. Words will destroy you and others. They will put people into depression, gloom, and hopelessness. But even more dangerous than the hidden impact of words is the fact that the one to whom you speak them may destroy you or others with them. The wrong person will ruin you. They will use those words, which you speak, against you. They will twist them and turn them and enlarge them or exaggerate what you have said. And you will be in great trouble because of the words you spoke. So be careful with whom you share your heart’s feelings. It is better to be “dumb with silence” than to speak words today for which you will have to die tomorrow.

Remember, you are the master of your unspoken words, but a slave to those words that should have remained unsaid.

Day by Day by Gwen Shaw
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