See No Evil, Hear No Evil, "SPEAK" No Evil

Most likely you have seen the pictures of the three wise monkeys that originated from a 17th century carving at the famous shrine in Nikko, Japan. We three “Wyse” sisters mimic the picture by covering our eyes, ears, and mouth to represent stopping them from sinning. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “reject every kind of evil”. This week’s devotional is “SPEAK” no evil...

 

Research shows that the average woman speaks 20,000-24,000 words a day, while the average male speaks roughly 7,000-10,000 words. That is a lot of words spoken! If someone told you they had been secretly recording every word you said for the last year and were going to play back that tape, what would that reveal about you? Do you think you would be pleased? Would God be pleased? Luke 6:45 says, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

You might have heard the quote “The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body; use yours to lift someone up today”, by Terri Ann Armstrong. Although by some standards of measurement this is not true, it is true that the tongue can have great strength. We can use this strength for good like encouraging someone, praising God, or sharing the gospel. On the other hand, James also said it can be full of “deadly poison” and may tear others down, spread gossip, or encourage others into evil action. James 3:5-6 compares the tongue to a tiny spark; “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” In what way have you been using this muscle in your body? Have you been using it to glorify God or have you been using it in evil ways? Matthew 12:36 says, “I tell you that every careless word that people speak they shall give an account for it in the day of judgement”. Like the prayer in Psalms 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips”, ask God to help you “speak no evil”.