A Prayer to Protect Your Words
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” - Psalm 141:3-4, NIV
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Remember how you felt the last time you said something you regretted? Whatever it was – a rude remark during an argument, a bit of gossip, or something else – you probably wished you could have taken those words back. We’ve all experienced situations where we speak before we think about whether what we’re planning to say is wise.
In Psalm 141:3-4, King David offers a powerful prayer asking God to protect him from speaking evil and harmful words. I love the imagery David uses here. He asks God to “set a guard” and “keep watch over the door.” He’s essentially God, sending him spiritual security for his speech. David recognizes that he can’t always guard his own mouth perfectly, so he asks the Creator of language to step in and help.
Words are incredibly powerful. Positive words are tremendously helpful for encouraging one another. But the harshness of sharp words can lead to tremendous damage to relationships. It’s important to be as careful as we can when we choose the words we speak or write to other people.
In verse 4, David connects his mouth to his heart. He knows that if he wants his words to stay pure, he has to keep his heart from being “drawn to what is evil.” He doesn’t want to get sucked into the “delicacies” of the world. Those are things like feeling superior to others by winning an argument with a sharp remark, or having fun at other people’s expense by gossiping or joking about them. All you have to do is look at social media posts to see how much some people enjoy rude and mean words like delicacies.
Our words reveal what’s happening in our souls. When we’re stressed, hurt, or feeling self-righteous, that’s usually when unwise words start leaking out. So, when you catch yourself saying something you regret, you’ve got to do more than just try harder to have better manners the next time. You need to ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God’s Spirit can purify your soul and teach you to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit – such as kindness, gentleness, and self-control – that can empower you to choose wiser words in the future.
Our culture celebrates just saying whatever comes to mind, often without any regard for what’s wise or not. It’s so easy to let that culture rub off on us. If you’re not careful, you might find yourself joining in on a conversation to vent negative feelings at work, church, or home. Or, you may send a heated text or email you really shouldn’t have sent.
But God calls us all to use our words for positive purposes. God wants to help you protect your words. Through his Holy Spirit, God wants to be that “guard” at the door of your lips, guiding you with discernment so you can choose the best words and avoid saying sinful words. When you let God guard your words, you’ll see that your sense of peace and your relationships will all grow stronger.
So, approach your conversations with the awareness that God is standing guard. Before you enter a meeting, jump into a group chat, or go home to your family, ask God to help you choose words that reflect his character. Then other people will notice that God is really at work in your life.
Let’s Pray
Dear God, I know my words have the power to help or hurt people. I confess that I don’t always choose my words well. Too often, I just react to my emotions when I’m speaking or writing something, rather than stopping to think about what would actually be the wisest words to choose. I’ve said things I regret, and I’ve stayed silent when I should have spoken up for what’s right. So, God, please set a guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. When I’m tempted to complain, I direct my attention to your blessings instead. When I’m tempted to gossip or speak poorly of other people, remind me that you’ve created them in your image, so they’re worthy of love and respect. Help me take a break before I speak or write, and ask your Spirit to show me whether my words are true, kind, and necessary. As David prayed, please don’t let my heart be drawn to what’s evil. Pull my affections away from the “delicacies” of negativity and cynicism in this fallen world. Fill my soul with so much of your love that what overflows from my words is grace and encouragement. Help me to be a person who uses words to encourage others and bring glory to you. Let the words I choose always please you, God. Thank you for your patience with me and for the way you‘re transforming me from the inside out. Amen.
Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: digitalskillet
Related Resource: Sheila Walsh: The Cost of Pretending You’re Okay - Buried Emotions, Depression, Mental Health & the Courage to Heal
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