Lord, Wash My Mouth

Lord, wash my mouth!

My bathroom renovation is now complete with the exception of wall décor. I saw a framed picture a few years ago that would be perfect in my bathroom but I can't find it now. The picture was a black and white still life of a water basin and pitcher in front of a window with flowing sheer panels. A small cut out in the matting read "Wash me and I will be made whiter then snow". Recently, I had words with my daughter and thought of how those words had come out of my mouth. I saw again how I needed to have my mouth washed out. Washed, not from vulgar words, but of hurtful words. Words that cut; words not spoken with love. Words that only revealed my "superior" wisdom and her lack of wisdom. Words that rang with an unspoken "One day I will have told you so". Oh Lord, my mouth needs to be washed!

Such a small muscle but our tongues can be such mighty weapons. Used without thinking. Let loose on unsuspecting people. Aimed often at the ones we love the most. As I think about the words I said, the Lord revealed something even uglier; He showed me my heart from which those words came. If my heart had been right those words never would have left my mouth to cause both of us pain. Fear and anger reigned in my heart rather then peace and trust. Self-righteousness proudly sat in my heart making compassion, mercy and grace unable to dwell there. I needed a big cake of soap and a loving heavenly Father to administer the washing! I have taken the punishment and as you can imagine- it didn't taste good!

Do you know what lurks in your heart? Today would you commit to listen to yourself carefully? What do you hear when you hear yourself talk? Are there a basin and a cake of soap waiting for you?

James 3 tells us what a struggle you and I have with our untamable tongues. Verse 2 says "We stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." I am far from perfect! How can I become perfect in this area? I am relieved to learn that the word "perfect" means mature. I know I will not attain perfection but I can strive to be mature. Maturity is a process; you and I will stumble. We will need to have our mouths washed many times as we strive to bring maturity to our hearts, minds and mouths! Will we strive to take the necessary steps to a mature heart and mouth?

Kathy Withers serves in the Keswick Book and Gift Shop and is great Bible Teacher and speaker. You can contact her to speak by calling Ruth Schmidt @ rschmidt@americaskeswick.org