Copyright
Get a Grip on Your Lip
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-1818-6
Copyright 2010 by Beth Jones
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (msg) are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations marked (niv) are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version® niv®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (amp) are taken from the Amplified® Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations marked (nasb) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations marked (tlb) are taken from The Living Bible © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ylt) are taken from Young’s Literal Translation, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database, Copyright © 2003, by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
All biblical definitions are taken from Jim Gilbertson, ed., PC Study Bible v. 4.1 (Seattle, 2003).
Special Thanks
I would like to give a special thank you to the following people:
Jeff, Meghan, Annie, Luke and Eric—Thanks for being the best family I could ask for. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for your faithful love and support and for allowing me to live on my computer during book-writing seasons.
Joy Abad—Thank you for your fine and patient work editing. It’s nice to work with a fellow Michigander.
Jason Koscinski––Thank you for helping us with your expertise in so many areas.
Valley Family Church—Thanks for being the best congregation in the world. I love and appreciate you all. Thank you for your faith, prayers and support through the years.
Introduction
Words are powerful. They are loaded with the power of life and death.
When I think about the most significant life lessons I’ve ever learned, getting a grip on my lip is right up there at the top.
For many years, I got in trouble with my words. I'd swear, spout my opinions, be negative or say stupid sarcastic things. I would either say too much or too little. I often said the wrong things, or I put my foot in my mouth.
When I became a follower of Christ, I was still pretty clueless. I knew very little about what the Bible says concerning the words of my mouth, and I didn't know anything about the power of speaking faith-filled words.
Boy, was it eye-opening as I began to learn what the Lord thinks about my words. All it took was one reading through the whole book of Proverbs to realize I had a problem with my mouth. When I began to understand the power God has invested in my tongue, words, lips and mouth, it was life-altering. I started to be more intentional in the words I said or didn’t say, and I saw remarkable results! The revelation and application of this subject has been a continual “aha-moment” for me, and I trust it will be the same for you too.
Perhaps through these pages I can encourage you as a friend, a sister, a teacher or a spiritual mom—plus as a minister—while sharing these simple yet profound truths I’ve learned about the power of our words from God’s Word.
I truly believe the book you hold in your hands may be one of most important things you’ll read this year. I pray you dive into each page with a fresh expectation to hear from God and a passionate desire to put everything you learn into practice.
It’s true, as the writer of James said, “no man can tame the tongue” (3:8). Without God's help, our words will get us into trouble, but with God’s help, we can get a grip on our lip!
Happy reading and speaking!
Chapter 1: Sticks and Stones
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
You know that’s a big fat lie, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words can break your heart, ruin your life and hurt others. Words are loaded.
The power of the words on our lips cannot be overestimated. In fact, the writer of Proverbs tells us really smart people teach their mouths:
"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones," Proverbs, 16:23,24.
In other words, wise people get a grip on their lip!
Get a Grip
Are you ready to get a grip and embark on a life-changing faith adventure? When you get a grip on your lip, your life will never be the same. Here’s why. Words carry the power of life and death. Words are power packed. They cut to the core or spread honey to the heart; they bless or curse. Words build up or tear down. Words bring forth great things, or they destroy our lives. Words frame our world. Words turn things around. Words direct our lives. Words set the rudder for the courses of our lives. Words start fires. Words ensnare. Words impart. Words bring joy. Words are seeds. Words produce fruit. Words are containers. Words are carriers. Words are not nebulous sound waves that dissipate into thin air; words can move mountains. Words play a huge role in determining our eternal destiny, the salvation of our souls and the quality of our lives on earth. Have you ever thought about the diverse power of words?
Let’s bring it a little closer to home: have you thought about the power and influence of words in your own life? What types of things are you saying these days? What types of words have been spoken to you in the past?
When you think back to your childhood, do you remember any particular things that were said to you? On the playground? In class? At home? Perhaps sticks and stones and words have hurt and shaped the course of your life. Maybe you were surrounded by people who called you names or put you down with their words. On the other hand, perhaps you were fortunate enough to have people who encouraged you and planted seeds of greatness into the soil of your heart with their faith-filled words.
When you look at the current landscape of your life, what types of words are you speaking? Words of life or death? Words of hope and faith, or words of doom and gloom? Is your mouth bringing you joy or giving you fits? Is your mouth under or out of control? Do you find yourself saying things you hope people remember or things you hope they forget? Are your lips being controlled by the fruit of the Spirit with