TAME YOUR TONGUE

“Tola! Tola!! Tola!! Open this door!” I shouted without thinking twice.

“Tola! I know you’re in there, what is the meaning of this message you sent to me?”

I asked loudly.

“Please Tola, don’t even think of doing anything that you wouldn’t like. I know you’re in there. Please just open this door and let’s talk.” I said calmly.

Few minutes later, I was still standing in front of Tola’s apartment when she opened the door.

“Phew! Thank you Jesus! I was so scared Tola! Why? What’s wrong? The message you sent to me was so scary. I had to rush here immediately I saw it.” I said anxiously ready to get a reasonable response while holding her hands.

“Wait! Was that ready suicide note abi message?” I asked.

She didn’t give me any answer or response. She was just sobbing and weeping profusely.

I accompanied her into the sitting room, helped her sit on the couch and went into the kitchen to get her a glass of water. Just for her to calm down and gain the strength to tell me what was wrong.

“Thanks Christie!” She respond.

“You’re welcome my love, but Tola, talk to me. I thought we were friends. What is wrong? What’s happening to you? Why are you like this? You trust me right?” I asked eager to get answers to my questions.

“Wait! Did I offended you? Just tell me what is wrong na? Why would you even think about hurting yourself?” I didn’t even know when I also started crying.

Then Tola responded and said, “it’s my friends! My church! And my neighbors!”

“All of made you do this? Do they tell you to end your life? Did they?” I responded angrily.

“No! But they pushed me into this! They all did! My church members, my friends at work, my neighbors, they all always talk down on me.” Tola said.

“Some mocked me of how old I am and still not married. Some even calls me a prostitute. I overheard some sisters talking about how I am on hard drugs only because I am actively outspoken in the church! Christie! All this got to me! They are saying I am dating my boss at my work place. They all look down on me and talk harshly at me.” Tola continued.

“All because of what? Just because I am good at what I do? See Christie! I have decided to just give up on everything cause it seems like everyone around me hates me. I am tired Christie.” Tola added.

I moved closer to her, hugged her and sat beside her.

“Look Tola, you are special! Trust me you’re! Ignore what this people say. They are just people who are finding it hard to tame their tongue all in the name of jealousy and frustration. Ignore them babe! You’re more than this! See! Always remember God have greater plans for your life. Why must you react to all those side noises? Babe, I love and care about you and God loves you so much to even see you fall. Thank God I came at the right time.” I said, now placing and allowing her head rest on my legs.

“You will be fine Tola, I gat you and God gat you.” I added, now with a smile.

**********

Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” See! The tongue can be used as a weapon to harm and destroy or used as a tool to build and heal.

Those people with an untamed tongue are those who can easily be identified with the following traits: they are talkatives; they speak against holy things; they talk against dignitaries and ministers of God; they talk against the church; they make jest, look down and talk down on people especially people doing better than them; they discuss their pastors at their dining or bedrooms.

Okay! Let’s make it more practical. I read this somewhere that: The wrong use of the tongue has ruined many marriages; led to untimely death for a lot of people. The wrong use of the tongue by leaders has brought civil war into many countries.

Some tongues has opened the door to demonic affliction, stagnancy and failure for many Christians. See! This mouth has closed down churches and ministries.

The wrong use of the tongue has invited unwanted battles into people’s lives; ruined valuable relationships. The wrong use of the tongue has sent many people to hell. It’s high time we control our tongues by thinking what you want, but saying only what is appropriate.

Stand by the advice, “If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.” If you can't think of anything positive to say, then just smile politely, nod, and subtly change the subject. Controlling our tongues is about verbal control. It is about instilling discipline into this area of our life. It's about finding a better way to say the right things at the right time. And that starts when we can effectively control our tongues. To tame your tongue, Rely on God's strength to aid you.

“The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Only by the grace of God in your life can you seek to control your speech. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).