Stewardship of Speech

Our exploration of James 3:1-12 last Sunday has me thinking about the many practical Bible passages on “the tongue”—our talk:  what does it mean to be a faithful steward of our speech?

“Stewardship” is a term we often use in regard to money and material resources.  But it’s wise to apply it to all our possessions:  everything we have comes from God (1 Corinthians 4:7); “life and breath and everything” are his gifts (Acts 17:25).  What’s more, all that we have actually still belongs to God (Psalm 24:1).  You your­self were bought with a price and you are not your own (1 Cor­inth­ians 6:19-20).  We’re not owners, we’re caretakers—stewards of our time, talent, treasure, talk… everything.

And stewards ask, “How can we use all that’s been entrusted to us to honor the Owner?”  A faithful steward cares about one thing:  pleasing his or her Master.  Including with how we talk.  So…

*Slow down and listen:  Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19).

*Examine your heart:  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless (James 1:26).

*Pray for self-control:  Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3).

*Bless others:  Encourage one another every day (Hebrews 3:13).

*Speak gospel truth:  Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

*Find ways to spotlight God’s greatness:  I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).  We have no higher calling than glorifying our awesome God!