Written by Lord Jesus, you have taught us in your word: For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For your eyes, O Lord, are on the righteous, and your ears are open to their prayer. But your face, O Lord, is against those who do evil. For who will harm us if we are zealous for what is good? But even if we should suffer for righteousness’ sake, we will be blessed in you. So we are not to have fear of them, nor be troubled, but in our hearts, let us honor you, O Lord our Christ, as holy. May we always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that we have in us; yet may we do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when we are slandered, those who revile our good behavior in you, O Christ, may be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be your will, Lord God, than for doing evil. For you have told us, On the day of judgment, we will give account for every careless word we speak, for by our words we will be justified, and by our words we will be condemned. For it is true: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those of us who love it will eat its fruits. Discipline us to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And help us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from us, along with all malice.
Teach us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in you, O Christ, forgave us. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Whoever of us keeps our mouths and our tongues keeps oneself out of trouble. If any of us think we are religious and do not bridle our tongue but deceive our own heart, our religion is worthless.
Whoever guards their mouths preserves their life; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. So help us to let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. It’s in your name, Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Reference:
1 Peter 3:10-17 | Matthew 12:36-37 | Proverbs 18:21 | Ephesians 4 | Proverbs 16:24 | Proverbs 15:1 | Proverbs 1:23 | James 1:26
