Guard your Mouth

“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV

In an article posted by Runner’s World after the finish of Sundays world famous New York Marathon, the following was reported: Sharon Lokedi of Kenya, making her marathon debut in New York, raced like a veteran. She showed patience and grit, and it paid off with a narrow victory over two of the prerace favorites. Lokedi, 28, was one of nine women in the lead pack up First Avenue. But when Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia, the reigning world champion, made a strong move at about 16 and a half miles, Lokedi didn’t bite. Two others did, but Lokedi and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, who was born in Kenya and is now an Israeli citizen, hung slightly back. By mile 18 they were 11 seconds off the lead. That moment of restraint paid dividends later…. Lokedi kept herself in position to win the race first by what she didn’t do. She didn’t go with the break at 16 miles. And then over the final miles, no one else was stronger. Do you just love that or what? One moment of restraint can indeed make all the difference.

And you know, practicing restraint or self control at the right time will not only help you finish a race strong but will help you from saying something you might regret. You see, as David knew, it’s easy for us to speak words that hurt other people or tarnish our witness—especially when we don’t take the time to consider the impact our words might have once they leave our mouths. Which is the very reason David beseeched the Lord to set a guard over his mouth and to watch over the door of his lips. He didn’t want the same mouth that prayed and praised Him to be used for lies or any other evil thing.

So let us practice restraint or in our speech by pausing, praying and thinking before we open our mouths my friend. This is the only way to ensure that we voice only those words that build up others and bring glory to God—something that makes all the difference in our pursuit to be like Christ and lead others to the foot of the Cross. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that words matter. Please guard our mouths and watch over our lips Lord. Allow only gracious and righteous words to flow out from us so that we would not dishonor You in any way.  It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!