Above Only Daily Devotional june 18 2019 By Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa Topic: Grace to Speak Life Continually (Pt 2)

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Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Colossians 3:8 (GNB) But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come form your lips.

James 1:19-20 (GNB) Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.

One way to continually speak life is to restrain ourselves from things that cause us to spew negativity. Our first text above warns that when you sense pride and evil thoughts welling up within you, place your hand (or a restraint) over your mouth. Both pride and evil thoughts can cause you to utter the wrong words if you do not control them. You do not have to comment on every matter you hear about. David said he did not involve himself in matters that were too high for him. Instead, he quieted himself like a child that was being weaned, Psa. 131:1&2. Do not be in a hurry to speak negatively about things you don’t understand or are unsure of: especially when you are provoked. Be quick to hear slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Allow the Holy Spirit to control your emotions and the company you keep. Do not sit in the seat of the scornful, Psa. 1:1. Exposing yourself to negative and corrupt words also. Words are very powerful. When Moses was provoked by the Israelites, he spoke wrongly with his lips and evil came upon him, Psa. 106:32-33. On the other hand, despite all Job went through and the external pressures, he did not sin with his lips, Job 2:9. Jesus warned that it is not what a person eats that defiles them but what comes out of their mouth (words), Matt. 15:11. Proverbs 17:27 (NIV) reminds us that “a man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace to yield to Your Spirit, to control my emotions and restrain myself from speaking negatively.

Bible in one year reading plan: Nehemiah 10-11, Acts 4:1-22