What steps help "keep your lips from deceitful speech" according to Psalm 34:13? Setting the Verse in Front of Us “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” (Psalm 34:13) Step 1: Start with the Heart • Deceitful words spring from a deceitful heart (Luke 6:45). • Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your inner thoughts daily (Psalm 139:23-24). • A heart saturated with truth naturally produces truthful speech. Step 2: Guard the Gate of Your Mouth • “He who guards his mouth protects his life” (Proverbs 13:3). • Pause before speaking; be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). • Make it a habit to ask, “Is this necessary, is it kind, is it true?” Step 3: Replace Falsehood with Truth • “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Colossians 3:16). • Memorize verses that spotlight honesty (Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25). • Speak Scripture aloud; it retrains the tongue to tell truth. Step 4: Invite Godly Accountability • Walk with believers who will speak truth in love (Proverbs 27:17). • Give trusted friends permission to point out misleading or careless words. • Confess promptly when deception slips in (James 5:16). Step 5: Rely on the Spirit’s Power • The Holy Spirit produces “faithfulness” and “self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Pray for Spirit-enabled restraint; you cannot tame the tongue alone (James 3:8). • Celebrate each victory as His work, not mere self-improvement. Step 6: Redirect When You Stumble • If deceitful words escape, own them immediately (Proverbs 28:13). • Seek forgiveness from God and any person misled (1 John 1:9; Matthew 5:23-24). • Replace the lie with clear, truthful correction. Daily Habits that Help • Begin mornings by reading a psalm aloud—training your lips in truth. • Set a reminder verse (Psalm 141:3) on your phone. • Limit media that celebrates manipulation or sarcasm. • End each day with a brief speech audit: What did I say? Was it honest? • Thank the Lord for specific moments He kept you from speaking falsely. Why It Matters • Honest lips reflect God’s character: “God…cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). • Truthful speech builds trust in families, churches, workplaces (Ephesians 4:29). • On Judgment Day “men will give account for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36). • A truthful tongue shines light in a culture darkened by spin and deceit, drawing others to Christ (Philippians 2:15-16). |
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