During these days of anarchy and chaos, we are challenged to hold our tongue. For Christians It is not enough to wear the mandated muzzle mask, we must also zip our lip and THINK before we respond. “It is not what people put in their mouth that makes them wrong. It is what comes out of their mouth that makes them wrong.” Matthew 15:11 NIV When we complain we repel the presence of the Lord, we quench the Spirit of the Lord and He does not hear our prayers. Like the example of the children of Israel, they felt entitled and they were ungrateful for what they had and believed they deserved more. We need to put to death the complaining spirit within us, and stop agreeing with the Liar, and start speaking kingdom language of thanksgiving in all things. The “six things the Lord hates: proud look, a lying tongue, and the person who sows discord among the brethren.” When it comes to judgments, criticism, sarcasm, negativity, complaining, and gossiping, most people live in deception and they are blinded to whom they are serving. IF we are to be authentic followers of Christ, there is little room for innocent sarcastic remarks. “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” James 1:26

As Christians we must REFUSE to be offended by those who are weak, broken, hurting and who spew negativity. Our Father does not want us to dismiss, or disassociate with the person who is lost, He asks that we be His Light in dark places. “I will also put a new spirit in you to change your way of thinking. I will take out the heart of stone from your body and give you a tender, human heart.” Ezekiel 36:26  We are wise to zip our lip and seek wisdom before we speak. Asking the Holy Spirit to take charge of our tongue requires our submission to God and His Way. The deceived, the haters, the broken spirited people are also loved by God and we must choose the higher Way, His Way. God insists that we pray for our enemies. We shall not co-sign evil behavior, but we resist the devil’s scheme to get God’s people to whine, complain and hate the person instead of the deed. God requires His people to forgive as He forgives and to love as He loves. Unless we are obedient to this one command, we are not forgiven. As we encourage the lost, deceived person, we do NOT speak of their behavior, but we call them up to being a renewed, changed, new creation in Christ. The Lord wants us rejoicing always, and speaking words of life, hope and NOT judgment, criticism, sarcasm and complaining. “If anyone believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” John 7:38 – “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 – “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” Colossians 1:19 – “Let all that you do be done in love” 1 Corinthians 16;14 – Love corrects us and His Love disciplines us. As we go about doing the Father’s business, we are equipped to do the same out of love! Love is a core value for the faithful, obedient followers of Jesus. The Bible tells us that “God is love”. In Genesis, our Father disciplined Adam and Eve and in Exodus God disciplined the Israelites for grumbling, for doubting Him, and for acting like a spoiled child whining in a supermarket. A child demands what he thinks he deserves…right NOW! Wait on the Lord???

As our Christian values to love, show compassion, and give respect are challenged during the evil that is obvious…it is in this test that our old nature tends to rise up and take hold of our tongues! We may open our mouth and spew a gush of wind, or leap forward without checking in with what the Holy Spirit would want for us to do or say. When we are challenged by the hour we are in, we must remain quick to listen and slow to speak. We are fallible, but the Word of God is not. God is allowing the chaos. Jesus as the King of kings is not unaware of anything. Remember when our Father told Samuel to give the people a king? Why? Because the people asked to be led by an earthly person and NOT God. Our Lord listens to the hearts of his people and He knows our intentions, our motives and what we hold fast to in our mind. Knowing that the ALL knowing Father knows all, out of our love and reverence, we fear the Lord and we examine our hearts to confess anything that is in us that dishonors His Word, His will and His Way. Those who have reprobate minds will never see what we see. Their spiritual eyes has been blinded by their persistence to mock or deny God. We must stay vigilant in our effort to capture every thought and speak less and obey more.

Give ALL who come near you or read your post….. A WORD OF CHEER