Two-Lips Shouldn’t Have Thorns
By Paris Renae
Monday, March 13, 2017
“The lips of the righteous nourish many.” Proverbs 10:21a NIV
My first grade report card had a note included from the teacher: “Paris talks too much.” At the ripe old age of six I was already in trouble.
Fast forward a number of years and I was a mom of three and active in leadership in our church. A wise peer pulled me aside and told me she had a verse for me: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV
That was the best gift I could have possibly been given. The reminder to listen twice as much as I talk. Often we say we wish life came with a set of instructions, and so it does. This Bible of ours is so personal, reaching to the very soul of us.
Listening is an art. That’s why we have to do it with our He-art and not just our ears. What is this one, who was created in the image of God, saying? Where are they coming from? Are they in a hard place right now? Can I put me aside and hear them? Seems like our natural tendency is to want to draw from our life experiences, fix things, spread our vast knowledge.
But Solomon, in his wisdom given by God, shares with us that the righteous (those who Jesus lives through) nourish many with their lips. Lips that encourage, build up, glorify God, and don’t boast – and sometimes remain silent.
Here’s more wisdom from Proverbs 20:15: “Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” NIV
Hmm, Godly knowledge is imparted to us through the Spirit who lives in us. So I guess when we’re letting the Spirit lead, we have lips that are rare jewels.
I have to admit that I don’t always have jeweled lips; sometimes these two-lips have thorns. This will be a lifelong endeavor, but God isn’t seeking perfection, He’s seeking a willing heart.
Maybe we should print out one of these verses, stick it to our car’s dashboard, and start there. Or maybe on our refrigerator and start in our own home. Wherever we post God’s reminders, they will lead us to the heart of the matter – speaking to please Him.
O Father, before a word is on our tongue You know it. Help us to have more jewels than thorns. May Your Holy Spirit quicken us to listen more and talk less. And Father, when we slip up help us be quick to ask forgiveness and try again. You are so patient with us and we thank You for working this out in us all of our days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
© 2017 by Paris Renae, All rights reserved.
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