If your Tongue is like a Steering Wheel, where is it Leading you?
This week I began a month-long reading of the Old Testament book of Joshua (download the New Hope Worship Center mobile app for the reading plan and devotionals). Joshua is an exceptional example of a godly leader, having led Israel from the wilderness into the land God promises them.
Joshua gives us some insight into what is required to possess God’s promises:
- You will need to be strong and courageous. Josh. 1:6 says, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
- You will need to be obedient. Joshua1:7 says, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”
- You will need to continually declare God’s Word. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
Meditating on God’s Word involves more than quietly thinking and pondering; it has more to do with speaking, saying, and declaring. Meditation on God’s Word may begin with the thoughts of your mind, but it includes and prioritizes the words of your mouth.
God said, “Joshua, don’t let My words stop flowing from your mouth! Keep declaring My promises and My covenant – no matter what you face! If you align your words with Mine, you will have success in what I send you to do!”
Are you speaking God’s promises over your life, or just rehearsing your problems? If your tongue is like a steering wheel, where is it leading you? James reminds us that the tongue is a powerful – even deadly – force when left to itself. But when you align your words with God’s Word, you ignite faith and allay doubt and fear.
Maybe the psalmist understood the power of our words when he prayed, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart he acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
If your tongue is like a steering wheel, where is it leading you? The reality is, steering wheels should never be left unattended. The driver should control the direction of the car by rightly handling the steering wheel.
Stop letting your mouth run wherever it wants to. Get control of your tongue and you will get control of your life.
Photo: edunloaded.com
Pastor Dale Jenkins 
Good stuff, Pastor Dale. Thank you
How cool that Joshua 1:8 was one of my memory verses just last week. And that the podcast I listened to yesterday by Pastor Jerry Dirmann, was about the power in what comes out of our mouth. Think God is trying to get a point across? Thanks Pastor Dale! Always good to know when we are in tune with the Holy Spirit!