Open Not Your Mouth

 

I strong sense in my spirit that I should tell Christians to guard their mouth in terms of watching what comes out from their mouth most especially during the trying times.

This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.

                                                         2 Timothy 3:1

First, Christians need to know that ‘perilous times’ shall come and nothing can be done about that. However, at such periods the devil takes advantage of quite a number of Christians by preying on them through numerous complains, negative words and grumblings. These makes God look as if He is powerless. Joy in marriages is weakened daily through complaints either from the husbands or wives; many have lost their jobs and breakthrough opportunities through grumblings. The question then is what should be done? The answer the Lord wants me to pass across may seem unpopular but useful.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth.

                                                                       Isaiah 53:7

Open not your mouth! When you are being persecuted, do not complain or grumble just keep your mouth closed at such periods. There is a saying in Africa that says ‘concentrate on who you are dealing with in the market and other market activities is none of your business. This should apply to Christians too. Christians should focus on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and not on the present persecutions. When this is done, strength will be released to overcome the pains. We need not give explanation for everything. Jesus never did. There is a minister of God that faced persecutions from fellow brethren in faith- they lied about him and accused him wrongly but in order to save his face he started explaining to the people trying to defend himself. However, this did not work rather the persecution increased. Then the Lord spoke to him saying “you ought not to defend yourself because I am your defence. When you defend yourself you are counting me out”. Brethren kindly consider this. Let God be your defence. I know that there are times that we cannot hold back from speaking but we need to during hard times. At such periods we should look up to Christ. David wrote many Psalms during trying times but these Psalms was directed to God. David’s focus was not to his persecutors. No matter how he was persecuted he only turned to his focus. God is also saying it is time to focus on Him alone, stop trying to defend yourself, allow God do the defending. David said I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me (Psalms 39:1). It is our responsibility to keep our mouth especially when we are before persecutors. Do not let pressure force words out of your mouth. If you have made the mistake in time past just turn to the Lord pray like the Psalmist did in Psalms 141:3 and all will work for good again.

Set a watch, O LORD before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

                                                                 Psalms 141:3.