Psalms 19:14 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
• Have you ever said something that you didn’t mean to say?
• Have you ever said something that you didn’t mean?
More often than not we are people who say what we mean … but try to convince others that we didn’t mean what we said.
David in this psalm (19) gives two references to "true speaking" … nature and God’s Words. What they speak of is always true.
Psalms 19:1-4a NIV The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (* Consider Romans 1:20)
Psalms 19:7-9 NIV The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
In sharp contrast David considers what he thinks and says … knowing they are not always true … though he desires them to be so.
We all struggle with hidden sins in the heart … and deliberate sins of the mouth (body).
• Hidden sins (12) … in the heart (See: Ps 119:11)
• Willful (presumptuous/deliberate) sins (13) … in the body (speech)
Psalms 19:14 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
David realizes there is a connection between his words and his thoughts.
That’s why it is wise to "think before you speak!" We should measure our words because they can be a menace to ourselves and others.
1. God Sees the Menace of my words
As a child I watched with delight the television show "Dennis the Menace." Dennis was always getting into trouble particularly with Mr. Wilson.
Our words and the thoughts behind them have the great potential to be a menace … a danger or threat to ourselves and to others.
This is why David desires his thoughts and words be pleasing to God.
We suggest as a safeguard to our speech … "If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all." But even that bit of advise fails to take inspection of the true intents (meditations) of the heart.
Psalms 12:2 NLT Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts.
Jesus warns …
• Words that come out are on “account” of the heart
Mark 7:20-23 NIV He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him ’unclean.’ 21 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man ’unclean.’"
• Words that come out the heart are “accountable”
Matthew 12:36-37 NIV But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
We might convince others that we didn’t mean what we said, but God knows the difference.
Psalms 139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
God knows the menace of our words, therefore we must carefully measure our thoughts and words.
2. God Sees the Measure of my words
David desires to know and speak the truth. If you and I are going to speak the truth, it must first reside in the heart of our intents and thoughts.
Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
David’s desire is that the measure (standard) of his words and thoughts be "pleasing" to his God.
The apostle Paul took the same measuring course …
2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
Take these guarding measures in mind and mouth before speaking …
(1) Is what I am going to say true?
(2) Is what I am going to say kind?
(3) Is what I am going to say necessary?
If you answered "no" to any of these, then do this …. confess and repent of the sinful thoughts in your heart … not allowing them to become sinful words.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
• Measuring your words helps Guard your life
Proverbs 4:23-27 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. (foot-in-mouth disease)
• Measuring your words helps Control your life
James 3:2 NLT We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.
Ephesians 5:3-4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
The measure of our words before and after spoken is a true indicator of God’s grace and holiness at work within us.
Conclusion:
David’s desire was that his thought and words please God. What an ambitious desire!
Psalms 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."
In desiring he saw God as his rock and redeemer … the stability and salvage of his body, mind and soul.
Application:
• Regard & confess to God any wrong (sinful) use of your thoughts & words.
• Repent (turn away from) of the wrong use of your mind & mouth.
• Return to anyone you have hurt with your words and ask for forgiveness.
Psalms 19:14 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Amen!
This sermon was preached by Robert AuBuchon at First Baptist Church of Camdenton, MO in 2004. RFTPsermons.com All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
