Guarding Your Tongue (Part 2)

Bishop Riggen draws from Titus 2:8 and Psalm 141:3 to emphasize the importance of guarding one's speech, continuing a lesson on the power of the tongue. He reviews that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and that every idle word will be accounted for (Matthew 12:36). He teaches that controlling the tongue is a mark of spiritual maturity, not merely operating in spiritual gifts, referencing James 3 and the carnal Corinthian church. He then addresses four specific areas of speech to guard against. First, lying: citing Revelation 21:8, he notes that liars are grouped with the abominable, murderers, and sorcerers, and that Proverbs 6:16-19 lists a lying tongue as second among seven things God hates. He warns against flattery as a form of deception and manipulation. Second, profanity: he stresses not taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7) and cautions against slang terms like "OMG," "pure D," heck, and gosh, which are substitutes for profanity. Third, gossip: he defines gossip as spreading information without the intent to harm, but notes it stems from spiritual emptiness. Fourth, slander: he distinguishes slander as intentional harm to a reputation and warns that bringing accusation is the devil's work (Revelation 12:10). He advises asking if a report is kind, true, and necessary before sharing it, and only with those who can address the issue. He concludes by urging daily prayer from Psalm 141:3 and Psalm 19:14, that one's words be acceptable to God.