Day 5 - Guarding Your Tongue (Proverbs 18:21)
Do you feel tempted to use your tongue to curse, complain, lie or gossip? If you do, then day 5 of this 14 Day Water Fast Devotional will advise you on what to do in order to control your tongue.
Day 5 - Guarding Your Ton...
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Scripture Focus:
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
— Psalm 34:13
Reflection
During this fast, you may encounter situations that test your speech. In moments of frustration or anger, the temptation may arise to hurl insults, speak word curses, or wound others with criticism that leaves lasting scars.
James describes the tongue as “a fire… a world of iniquity” (James 3:6). Though small, it holds immense power—to heal or to harm, to bring life or to sow destruction. For this reason, David prayed: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Words matter because words are purposeful. God designed words:
- To express His thoughts toward humanity (Genesis 1:26).
- To govern created life (Proverbs 18:4).
- To multiply and replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1, 7).
- To reveal His Spirit and His glory (John 1:1-4).
Our words should glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and testify of His nature (Psalm 19:14).
Steps to Guard Your Tongue
- Rely on God — Remember, strength comes through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
- Meditate on His Word — Hide it in your heart (Psalm 119:11).
- Allow Christ to Form in You — Let His life shape your words (Colossians 1:27).
- Submit to the Spirit’s Leading — Let Him renew your mind (Romans 12:1-2).
- See Others as God Sees Them — Love as He commands (Mark 12:30-31).
- Pray in the Spirit — Align your tongue with heaven (Jude 1:20).
Today, answer God’s call to consecrate your speech. Forsake murmuring, complaining, and careless words. Instead, let your tongue be a vessel of life, guided by the Holy Spirit, nourishing and edifying others (Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 12:18).
Scriptures to Meditate On
- Proverbs 10:21 — “The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”
- Proverbs 12:18 — “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
- Psalm 19:14 — “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight…”
Prayer
Father, help me to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Season my words with grace, and guard my tongue from evil. Holy Spirit, cleanse my heart and direct my speech, so that my words may edify and give life. Let my communication reflect Christ’s compassion and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Question
What change in your speech is the Holy Spirit inviting you to make today?
For Further Reading: Matthew 13–15
