”I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
Psalm 39:1New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 39:1 Devotional
Watch your ways and keep your tongue from sin
In Psalm 39:1, the Psalmist had to watch his ways and keep his tongue from sin. And since the Bible says that “it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), the Psalmist prayed for God to guard his mouth.
One of the things that the Psalmist desired was to communicate with God using words that would please Him (Psalm 19:14). He, therefore, wanted the “abundance of his heart” to be pleasing to God. Thus, his prayer for help.
Another thing targeted could have been profanity. Meaning that the Psalmist asked for help so as not to utter rounds of profanity (Ephesians 4:29). Many who do so tend to brush it off by saying that they either didn’t really mean it, or they were just joking.
More so, James in James 3:1-12 states that taming the tongue is difficult. Despite its small size, the tongue is very powerful. Proverbs, 18:21a states that the tongue has the power of life and death (Romans 3:13-14).
Yet another thing that could have been on the Psalmist’s mind is flirtation. Therefore, he could have been asking for help so as not to flirt with women. This has often led to illicit relationships and trouble.
In conclusion, I would like to encourage you to be alert concerning your words. And this is made possible by consuming the word of God. For after consuming God’s word, you will bring out the fruit of the word (stored up in your heart).
Therefore, mastery of the tongue is a sign of spiritual maturity. What we say provides evidence of where we are with regard to spiritual maturity.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I admit that the abundance of my heart is evil. I, therefore, surrender my heart to You and submit to Your word that the abundance of the same may be aligned to Your word. May You keep my mouth from sin. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
May you mind your ways and words. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Numbers 14-15 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
