In what ways can we seek God's help to speak truthfully? Setting the Scene: Psalm 120:3 and Our Tongues “What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?” (Psalm 120:3) • The psalmist feels the sting of lies and cries out, highlighting God as the One who ultimately deals with deceit. • This verse pushes us to recognize that our words matter to God and that we need His intervention to keep them honest. Recognizing the Problem of a Deceitful Tongue • Lying destroys trust and invites God’s discipline (Proverbs 12:22). • A tongue left to itself “boasts of great things” and “sets on fire the course of life” (James 3:5-6). • Psalm 51:6 reminds us: “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being.” Inviting God into Our Speech • Cry out as the psalmist did—acknowledge weakness and ask for rescue. • Pray Psalm 141:3 regularly: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” • Submit your heart first; truthful speech flows from a heart aligned with God’s truth (Luke 6:45). Practical Steps to Seek God’s Help 1. Immerse in Scripture – The Word sanctifies: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). 2. Yield to the Holy Spirit – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit produces honesty as part of His fruit (v. 22-23). 3. Confess Quickly – If you catch yourself twisting facts, confess immediately (1 John 1:9). Keeping short accounts keeps the tongue clean. 4. Replace Lies with Truth – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). – Practice: before speaking, ask, “Is it true? Is it loving? Is it necessary?” 5. Seek Accountability – Invite trusted believers to point out careless words (Proverbs 27:17). 6. Meditate on Christ as Truth – Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Fixing our eyes on Him shapes our speech. Promises and Encouragements • God delights in truthful lips (Proverbs 12:22). • He promises wisdom generously when we ask (James 1:5). • A truthful tongue brings healing (Proverbs 12:18) and wins favor (Proverbs 3:3-4). Living the Truth Daily • Start each day asking God to guard your mouth. • Keep Scripture on your tongue—recite, sing, and share it. • Celebrate victories: when you choose honesty in a hard moment, thank God immediately. • Expect God to refine you continually until your speech consistently mirrors His unchanging truth. |
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