Psalms 19:14, Isaiah 58:9, Proverbs 13:3, Matthew 12:36-37, James 1:26 and 3:5

Suzie Brock

Have you ever had your mobile phone make a call on its own? You know what I'm talking about, you run into someone you know and they tell you how they got a call from you only all they could hear was rustling noises and the faint sound of footsteps, or even worse you arguing with your husband. I'm sure you've had at least one, either you making the call or you receiving one.

Once when our son was around fifteen he attended a party that he hadn't gotten permission to go to. Around midnight as I lie in my bed thinking my children were safe and sound in bed, my phone rings..on the other end I hear a rowdy party going on but no one answering my 'hello'. Curiosity got a hold of me so I got comfortable on my pillow and began to listen in, much to my dismay I heard the unmistakable sound of my own son's voice!! Oh it gets worse, I hear my sweet little man requesting a beer, and then calling out a "hey babe" to someone no doubt of the opposite sex. Yes, steam can actually come from your ears when your mad enough, and I'm not totally sure but I think I caught a glimpse in the mirror of what looked like 'flames' in my eyes! Man did he get it the next day, and of course only after I had totally put the 'fear of God' in him by not letting on what had happened as I repeated things that had been said at the party verbatim and with stoic seriousness. He knew mom and dad were prophetic but not that prophetic! After I was satisfied that he was totally freaked out and sufficiently scared to death I revealed my secret. He had been carrying his mobile phone in his shirt pocket when it somehow got pushed to dial 'mom', bummer for him, lucky for me. Well, it all got worked out in the end with great repentance and forgiveness and a lesson on 'locking' the phone!

I have had my own 'bummer's' concerning mobiles with a mind of their own and I have most certainly learned for the most part to check the phone occasionally to make sure I'm not calling out. There's my point. I notice that sometimes before I get ready to talk about someone I'll often grab my mobile to make sure no one is listening in. Yes, it has occurred to me that if I need to check my phone to make sure no one hears what I'm about to say then maybe I shouldn't be saying it at all. The Holy Spirit in my purse... every word I say is being heard, every word....if I need to 'check', should I even be speaking it out? "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you my God" was David's cry in Psalms 19:14. "Put down the pointing of the finger and the speaking of wickedness" was the request of God Himself in Isaiah 58:9 with the promise of light coming to heal our own hearts if we did.

In Proverbs 13:3 it says that "those who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything", yikes! And how about this one in Matthew 12:36-37 spoken by Jesus, "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.". Ok, that one is enough for me. I need to constantly remember that my words are being heard and weighed, and that they have an effect not only on me and my life but on those who's ears they fall. James said that if we claim to be 'religious' but don't control our tongue, we are fooling ourselves and our 'religion' is worthless (1:26). He also put it so aptly by saying in verse 5 of chapter 3 that our tongues could start serious fires! The whole of chapter three in James is a good read on this topic, apparently this was a point of challenge in James life too.

I'm trying hard to keep these words in my heart, to 'think' before I speak, to remember that my 'mobile' is on and transmitting into the air and into someone's ear at all times.

Here is my prayer and I hope yours too:

"Lord, let my words and my meditations be sweet to you and to those around me, for your goodness sake let me guard my lips and think before I speak!".